Aboriginal Leaders seek to defend Eastern Ontario from Uranium Contamination

Edited by Traci Lawson

Leaders from Kitchenumaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) are working to protect their traditional lands from proposed mineral exploration that has been authorized by Ontario without their consent. Both communities are now facing contempt of court charges arising from injunctions, with the leaders and supporters of both communities facing jail and the seizure of community and individual assets.

The message that they bring from their communities to the Premier Dalton's McGuinty's Liberal Ontario government is clear: If the government of Ontario does not respect their moratoriums on mining activity, the communities have no choice but to take further action to protect their lands. Community leaders are willing to go to jail to stop destruction of their lands.

While the Province has recently taken action to resolve old grievances at Ipperwash, leaders of KI and Ardoch stress that the Province is creating new conflicts by pushing their communities' backs against the wall. It is critical that the McGuinty government take immediate action to respect the community moratoriums.

The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU) reports that The uranium exploration company has dug a trench at the front of the property (running along just behind the fence line,) that is approximately 3 feet wide and 8 feet deep. This activity has cause great concern for the protesters and there are questions being raised. “Is the exploration company keeping with the spirit of the injunction?”, “Why would they dig a trench?” and “What are their intentions?”

Anti-Mining activist have contacted the OPP and they are currently looking into the matter. The lawyers for the First Nations, government and the exploration company have also been notified.

Reference:

Uranium News.

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