Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Alvin Fiddler Takes KI Message to UN

www.1800Contacts.com
NAN Deputy Chief on United Nations Panel on Communication Print E-mail
Tuesday, 29 April 2008

Thunder Bay, ON -- The growth of the Internet as a tool for
communications will be the subject of a panel discussion at the United
Nations in New York on Wednesday. Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy
Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler will be one of the participants on the panel.

Deputy Grand Chief Fiddler will be participating in the Indigenous
People's Communication for Development during the Seventh Session of
the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues .

Fiddler will discuss the use of communication and information
technology in advancing the advocacy efforts of Nishnawbe Aski Nation
and James Bay Treaty 9 communities, specifically the efforts of
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inniniwug (KI) in spreading their message through
blogging, podcasts, YouTube, and other global community concepts.

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues advocates for
communication in Indigenous Peoples' development strategies to support
engagement in effective policy dialogue and advocacy.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Minister Graelle on the Platinex Claims in Matawa-Mr Minister a Map showing claims is not consultation!

Ontario Legislature:  April 28, 2008

Mr. Howard Hampton: A question to the Minister of Northern Development
and Mines: The Matawa First Nation tribal council chiefs released a
statement on Friday and I quote from it, "As First Nation chiefs, we
are disappointed by the inaction of the government of Ontario to
consult with and accommodate us about the mining claims that Platinex
has staked in our territory."

My question is this: Why did the McGuinty government fail to consult
and accommodate Webequie, Eabametoong, Neskantaga, Gull Bay and Marten
Falls First Nations before allowing Platinex's claim to an additional
72,000 acres of crown land to be recorded?

Hon. Michael Gravelle: Certainly, I want to inform the House of the
very positive working relationship that our ministry and government
have with Matawa First Nation. The fact is that I met with Matawa First
Nation very soon after being appointed Minister of Northern Development
and Mines and we were discussing my ministry's transitional approach to
aboriginal engagement. This approach was developed based on what we
heard through our engagement process with Matawa and other First
Nations and we've made real progress in that regard. Also, as the
leader of the third party may know, at the recent Prospectors and
Developers Associations convention in Toronto, Matawa was the first
aboriginal organization from Ontario to be an active participant in
attracting exploration activities. So we are working directly with
Matawa First Nation now in terms of the claims that are out there and
we continue our engagement process and we look forward to continuing
that discussion with them.

Mr. Howard Hampton: I'm still waiting for the answer. Yes, I know and
many of us know Matawa tribal council has no philosophical opposition
to mining. But as they say in their statement, "We need to be consulted
before these claims are accepted or recorded by Ontario," and "The
Ontario government has lagged considerably behind jurisprudence on
aboriginal and treaty rights."

We already know the leadership of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First
Nation is in jail because the McGuinty government failed to consult and
accommodate that First Nation before recording mining claims.

My question is this: After several decisions by the Supreme Court of
Canada, why does the McGuinty government continue to ignore its
constitutional responsibility to consult and accommodate First Nations
before you record—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Minister?
Hon. Michael Gravelle: We take our duty to consult very seriously. It
was confirmed in the court case by Justice Smith, but in terms of the
Matawa First Nation, my ministry was in touch with them last week. We
are in the process of contacting the individual First Nations that are
impacted by the claims that Platinex brought forward and were recorded
just this week and as soon as claims are recorded, we're making sure
they're aware of them. We also contacted Platinex last week, urging
them to begin the dialogue immediately, and I'll be following up with
the company myself in writing early next week. Certainly I'm
disappointed that Platinex did not contact them in advance, but we are
encouraging all companies to do this.

In terms of our transitional approach, we are certainly providing
aboriginal communities with quarterly maps, which will show mining
claims in the general vicinity of their communities, and we shared that
information with Matawa First Nation back in December when I met with
them. Again, I'm very pleased with the relationship that we have with
Matawa First Nation and many other First Nations in northern Ontario.

Mining Journal says UN Guidelines Are the Answer

Canadian Mining Journal, 4/27/2008

CANADIAN MINING PERSPECTIVES: No easy answers to Aboriginal opposition

By Marilyn Scales

The potential for conflict between the mineral industry and Aboriginals with unsettled land claims is not going away. A solution will take time, wisdom and considerable understanding on both sides.

I read on April 22 that a "chorus of celebrities" is demanding the release of Robert Lovelace of the Ardoch Lake Algonquin First Nation and the KI Six of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug band. They were sentenced in separate courts to jail time for protesting mineral exploration. Lovelace and his band oppose uranium exploration by FRONTENAC VENTURES near Sharbot Lake in southeast Ontario. The KI band wants PLATINEX to abandon its project at Big Trout Lake in northern Ontario.

Our readers continue to share their views about conflicts between First Nations and industry with us.

"Surely the basic problem is how we can all benefit from the stuff God put into the ground for us to find and use. We obviously need to be sensitive to the views of our aboriginal cousins, but simply blocking everyone from any given deposit cannot be the right way," wrote one reader. "I see a huge 'me first' attitude in many (by no means all, but too many) Canadians of all ethnicities. That's not a healthy outlook. How about doing unto others as you would have them do unto you?"

And from a reader who reminded us that it was not until the 1930s that women were recognized as people in Canada, these thoughts:

"Yes, the First Nations have para-governmental jurisdiction, but they do not currently have authorization to raise taxes, so mining companies need to approach federal and provincial governments ahead of other interested parties. So long as mining companies follow the UNEP [United Nations Environmental Program] community development guidelines, then the First Nation issues will be treated no less importantly than federal issues."

If Aboriginals and the mining industry are ever to reach agreement on land use, the first step must be mutual understanding. Toward that end, the FRONTIER CENTRE FOR PUBLIC POLICY in Winnipeg has released a report aimed at ways to improve Aboriginal outcomes. By comparing indigenous people in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, the author was able to point to conditions in specific societies that allow individuals to prosper. He wants to promote self-reliance and increased access to education, and New Zealand is an excellent example of this approach.

Read the background paper for more specific examples of how indigenous Canadians stack up against their counterparts in other countries. It is available at www.fcpp.org/main/publication_detail.php?PubID=2143.

KI and Kelowna

Kelowna Accord should get passed
Doug Cuthand, Special to The Leader-Post
Published: Monday, April 28, 2008

The Kelowna Accord seems to have a longer life than the Energizer Bunny. It just keeps going and going. Its latest incarnation is a bill before the Senate that was passed by the House of Commons in March of 2007.

On March 22 the senate voted in favour of the bill for a third and final time. The Kelowna Accord has now been passed by both the House of Commons and the Senate but I don't expect it will mean much since the Harper government has stated it won't implement the bill.

Remember the Kelowna Accord?
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It was a federal/provincial/First Nations agreement to provide First Nations and aboriginal communities with $5 billion for health, education and housing over a five-year period. The agreement was seen as a major breakthrough at the time but it was panned by the Conservatives and thrown in the garbage can when they took office.

All the premiers and territorial leaders have supported the Kelowna Accord and even former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has stated publicly that he supports it

. It was Mulroney who signed the Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement and brought in more than $500,000 to the province for land purchases.

The First Nations were furious that their concerns and a signed agreement should be so cavalierly dealt with.

The poor living conditions, contaminated water and high unemployment remain major issues in our communities largely because of the government's refusal to recognize the process and support that exists for the accord.

Now, $5 billion sounds like a lot of money and it could do a lot of good for our communities. But keep in mind that the federal budget is approaching $200 billion annually and the Kelowna Accord would have been spread over a five-year period.

It's time for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to put away his partisan view of the world and recognize the legitimacy of this important agreement.

- - -

Support for the KI Six continues to grow across the country. On March 17 the chief, deputy chief and four band councillors of the Kitchenuhmayboosib Inninuwug First Nation were given six-month sentences for refusing to comply with a court order that gave a mining company permission to drill on their traditional lands. The band is awaiting confirmation of its treaty land entitlement approval and the disputed land was within the area it planned to choose.

First Nations organizations across the country have been adding their voices to the opposition to the jailing of the KI Six for defending their land rights on behalf of their people. The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, and the Dene Nation in the Northwest Territories have all made statements condemning the jailing of these leaders.

Liberal MP Tina Keeper went to Thunder Bay and met with Cecilia Begg, the only female among the KI Six. Begg is a grandmother who is committed to the future of her community. Later in the House of Commons Keeper called on the government to live up to its duty to consult and not slough it off on third parties.

A letter signed by a number of eminent persons was sent to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty asking him to intervene in the jailing of the KI Six. The letter was signed by 20 people including Stephen Lewis, Margaret Atwood, Judy Rebick and Georges Erasmus.

ast Wednesday, hundreds of people attended a rally at the Ontario legislature in Toronto. Various First Nations leaders from northwest Ontario and provincial politicians addressed the rally and called for the release of the KI Six.

Clearly this is an issue that is gaining momentum and with the Assembly of First Nations calling for a national day of action on May 29 and threats to demonstrate at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver we can expect aboriginal issues to get a higher profile.

- Doug Cuthand is a Saskatoon writer.
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© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Saturday, April 26, 2008

European Human Rights Groups Write to Dalton

Meeting of European Human Rights Groups for the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples

Hon. Dalton McGuinty
Premier, Government of Ontario

Dear Premier McGuinty,

We, the representatives of European-based human rights groups for the
rights of indigenous peoples protest against the violation of
fundamental
rights of the Ardoch Algonquin and Shabot Obaajiwan First Nations as
well
as of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation. Members of
these
First Nations were jailed for rightfully defending their lands against
uranium mining and platinum exploration.

The charges relate to the non-violent opposing to mining activities that
the government of Ontario should not have permitted in the first place
and
constitute a clear violation of the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted by the UN-General Assembly in
December 2007.

Here we specifically refer to the following articles:

Article 7
1. Indigenous individuals have the rights to life, physical and mental
integrity, liberty and security of person.

Article 26
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and
resources
which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or
acquired.
2. Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control
the
lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of
traditional ownership
or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have
otherwise
acquired.
3. States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands,
territories and resources. Such recognition shall be conducted with due
respect to
the customs, traditions and land tenure systems of the indigenous
peoples
concerned.

Article 29
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the conservation and protection
of
the environment and the productive capacity of their lands or
territories and
resources. States shall establish and implement assistance programmes
for
indigenous peoples for such conservation and protection, without
discrimination.

Article 32
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to determine and develop
priorities and
strategies for the development or use of their lands or territories and
other resources.
2. States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous
peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order
to obtain
their free and informed consent prior to the approval of any project
affecting their
lands or territories and other resources, particularly in connection
with the
development, utilization or exploitation of mineral, water or other
resources.


With respect to the aforementioned articles, we urge your government to
take immediate action to:
1. Enter into good faith negotiations with the Kitchenuhmaykoosib
Inninuwug (KI), the Shabot Obaajiwan and the Ardoch Algonquin First
Nations in order to reach a just resolution to the current conflicts
that
ensures that their rights are fully respected and upheld.
2. Instruct officials in the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
to
ensure that no more mineral exploration permits or mining leases are
granted that violate constitutionally protected Indigenous rights,
including the court-recognized right to consultation and accommodation.
3. Comprehensively reform the Ontario Mining Act, including the free
entry
system, in consultation with Indigenous peoples and with affected
stakeholders. Reform must include protection of the rights of Indigenous
peoples in national and international law and independent environmental
assessment of the cumulative impacts of proposed exploration and mining
projects.

Also, we would ask you to respond how your government intends to respect
the relevant articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples in this case.

Sincerely,
Your concerned European observers

Vienna, Austria
April, 26th 2008


Aktionsgruppe Indianer und Menschenrechte e.V. www.aktionsgruppe.de
Arbeitskreis Indianer Nordamerikas www.arbeitskreis-indianer.at
Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker Deutschland www.gfbv.de
INCOMINDIOS Schweiz www.incomindios.ch
MENSCHENRECHTE 3000 menschenrechte3000@yahoo.de

Friday, April 25, 2008

Former MNDM ADM Embroiled in Lawsuit Over Mining Cos and Paramilitaries

Activists Sue Firm's Directors; Ascendant duo and TSX named in ongoing feud
Peter Brieger
Financial Post
648 words
26 November 2007
National Post
National
FP3
English
(c) 2007 National Post . All Rights Reserved.

The bitter feud between Ecuadorian activists and a British Columbia mining company has landed in a Canadian courtroom.

A trio of activists, who are opposed to Ascendant Copper Corp.'s move to build an open-pit mine in the South American country, is suing two of the company's directors and TSX Group Inc. after they were allegedly attacked last year by Ascendant-hired paramilitaries.

The statement of claim, filed recently in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, asks for unspecified damages -- the latest shot in a battled punctuated by violent conflicts, death threats and a hostage taking incident last year.

The directors -- William Stearns Vaughn and John Gammon -- did nothing to stop the violence, even after a meeting with mining opponents, the claim alleges.

Canada's biggest stock exchange, meanwhile, "negligently failed to properly monitor the behaviour of Ascendant Copper Corp. … thereby further facilitating, condoning and encouraging [the attacks]," the lawsuit says.

"The defendants Vaughn and Gammon were in a position to prevent further Ascendant-instigated violence … but failed to do so," says the 10-page claim.

None of the allegations has been proven. A statement of defence has not yet been filed and neither director could be reached for comment yesterday.

The TSX declined to comment yesterday.

A Web site for the penny-stock miner, which is based in Colorado, says the company aims to be a profitable natural-resources firm that has "transparent relationships with the communities directly affected by our operations" and enhances "the living standards of community residents through education, healthcare and job opportunities."

The legal claim says that a local mayor wrote a letter to the stock exchange operator in 2005 asking that Ascendant be blocked from listing its shares on the TSX because it had "caused serious internal conflicts and confrontations … and had adopted a divisive strategy provoking confrontations within the community, which could lead to the loss of human lives."

That was followed by a similar letter from the executive director of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, the claim says.

The conflict near the company's Junin property --about 135 kilometres northwest of Quito, Ecuador's capital -- erupted late last year as company-hired security guards "violently confronted Junin community members who were peacefully resisting their presence," the claim says, adding that the guards shot at the plaintiffs and pepper sprayed them in the face.

Two of them -- Marcia Luzmila Ramirez Piedra and Israel Perez Lucero -- suffered physical and emotional trauma from the attack, the claim alleges.

A third plaintiff -- Jaime Polivio Perez Lucero -- received "various threats against his life" that were linked to Ascendant, the lawsuit says.

"These threats contributed to the overall climate of fear and intimidation in Junin, and caused considerable anxiety and stress to the plaintiffs," the claim says.

Meanwhile, publicity generated by the confrontations and "well-known" cases involving publicly traded mining companies instigating violence against local opponents meant that the TSX "knew or ought to have known … that Ascendant … would use financing attained through listing to hire private security forces and instigate attacks and threats against Junin community members."

Last year, the conflict reached a head after Ascendant security guards allegedly tried to forcibly move community activists opposed to the mine. The incident escalated into a hostage-taking incident, with pro-mining forces kidnapping a handful of journalists and a politician while activists captured almost 60 Ascendant staff.

The standoff ended about a week later. At the time, an Ascendant executive said most of the "paramilitaries" were agricultural consultants hired for a community development project.

Two years ago, activists set fire to a company-owned building. Ascendant officials said a group of local people opposed to the mine "stormed" the building, assaulting and robbing staff, before setting fire to the facility.

pbrieger@nationalpost.com

Document FINP000020071126e3bq0001s

Australia Police Inquiry of Mining Firms Should Extend

Australia Police Inquiry of Mining Firms Should Extend [editorial]
589 words
4 February 2008
12:42
All Africa
English
(c) 2008 AllAfrica, All Rights Reserved

Feb 04, 2008 (Garowe Online/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- A cozy relationship between Puntland administration officials and the Australian company's executives has given local officials unsurpassed political power.

It is with genuine interest that one reads a recent article by major Australian newspaper, The Age, which publicly disclosed an ongoing Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation into "alleged misconduct and dubious practices in the developing world" by Australian mining firms.

According to The Age, political parties and Oxfam Australia have openly called for the Australian government to create a "mining watchdog" to oversee the activities of these firms in developing countries. The article reveals that corrupt practices on the part of Western firms aiming to exploit poor regions the world over for natural resources is so rampant as to warrant an official investigation by the AFP.

Although the article did not specifically name companies in the AFP's three ongoing investigations, the mere fact that mining firm corruption is getting the attention of Australia's largest law-enforcement organization is a welcome feat. It is also a wonder if Somalia, that troubled Horn of Africa country, is on the AFP radar at all.

Since 2005, a resources debate has raged across Somalia following a controversial agreement between a feeble regional administration, Puntland State, and an Australia-based mining company. That agreement, which drags to this day, has led to bloodshed, political scandal and a deteriorating security situation in one of Somalia's more-stable regions.

A cozy relationship between Puntland administration officials and the Australian company's executives has given local officials unsurpassed political power, which has in turn led to local clans to take up arms. Although the Puntland Constitution does not allow the region's leaders to sell off chunks of Somali territory, regional President Mohamud "Adde" Muse presses on with his unilateral exploration agenda.

Local clans in some of Puntland's regions, including Sanaag and Bari regions, have organized clan fighters to take up arms against Puntland security forces, whose aim is to bring foreign explorers to the region by military force. For example, in March and April 2006, at least ten people were killed in violent clashes between Puntland troops and local clan fighters from Sanaag region.

The Australian firm's relationship with Puntland has led to the appropriation of hundreds of thousands of dollars to Puntland officials. Yet, Puntland civil servants and security forces have not been paid in months and concerned ministries are barely operational. Local sources say that donated money never makes it to Puntland government faults, part of a region-wide financial scandal that has turned Puntland, once strong and stable, as a land of the verge of disorder.

Furthermore, the leading characters behind the exploration push, including President Muse's close relatives, are also board members with the Australian firm in question. This not only creates a conflict-of-interest, but it also reinforces the local clans' entrenched belief that the Puntland leader is attempting to invade and control the resources of other clans by force.

Thus far, the Australian firm and its foreign partners have not succeeded in their scheme to explore Somalia, by silencing the opposition through the implementation of military force. All Somalis know that military force, in its most brutal form, cannot silence whole clans.

We only have to look towards Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, where disgruntled clans have ascertained that the mighty Ethiopian army did not spend a single peaceful night on Somali soil.

Rights groups press new mining code in West Africa

Africa: Rights groups press new mining code in West Africa
623 words
23 April 2008
Thai News Service
English
(c) 2008 Thai News Service

Section: Regional News - Throughout West Africa gold, bauxite, uranium and other lucrative minerals are being extracted from the land, but local communities benefit little or in many cases lose out. Human-rights and development experts at a recent meeting in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, say governments and mining companies share a responsibility to ensure that people are helped not harmed by mining. Nancy Palus reports from Dakar.

Citizens who live near mining sites participated in last week's meeting in Dakar - the first in a series of consultations on a new mining code for the Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS.

ECOWAS led the April 17 to 19 meeting, in collaboration with Oxfam America. Eleven West and Central African countries were represented.

Joana Manu is a farmer who was once arrested for tilling a parcel of family land in western Ghana. A mining company said it owned the land.

"Farming is our only source of income. In our community our level of education is very low so we only rely on our farming. So when these mining companies come and then the government leases land for them it means we have to stop farming and if we stop farming activities how can we take care of our children and siblings and dependents? So I think there should be a law that protects our water bodies and there should be a law that the government should seek the consent of the community, of whether they like mining or they do not," said Manu.

After defending herself in court, Manu was eventually able to return to farming her land. But members of the Ghanaian delegation at the conference said that is not the case for many. Mining operations often displace families and hurt agricultural production.

Recent riots throughout West Africa over food price hikes have underscored the need to build up local production and safeguard rural communities' livelihoods.

"There is a big competition between mining operations and other socio-economic activities particularly agricultural ones," said Mamadou Biteye, Oxfam America's regional director for West Africa.

He says both governments and mining companies must be accountable.

"Communities have the right to a harmonious and sustainable development, they have a right to a secure livelihood, they have a right to a clean environment - all of that is the responsibility of the state but also of non-state actors, to protect and fulfill those rights," added Biteye.

Helene Cisse, a Dakar-based lawyer and a legal consultant on the mining code, says meaningful partnership among all concerned is the only way mining can be profitable in the long run.

"We need productive investment. But it must be for the sake of everybody, for the interest of everybody," said Cisse. "And this is the basic idea of this mining code, to convince the people that there is no durable development, human development, if there is no partnership."

Cisse says governments and civil society must put practical measures in place so the reality on the ground matches human-rights conventions that exist on paper.

"What is really urgently needed in Africa, especially in the zones where mining resources are exploited, is to effectively implement social, economic and cultural human rights of the local population and the workers, if you want peace and stability and justice in this space," continued Cisse. "So this is the gap between international norms in terms of human rights and the regression in terms of effective implementation."

A number of further consultations are planned with the private sector and other groups during the coming months before the West Africa mining code is finalized and comes before member states for a vote. - VOA

Why Consultation is Not the Answer

No Clarity Regarding when Crown must do more than Consult

The Court has left open the circumstances under which the Crown's duty
may be more than just one of consultation and accommodation. Presumably, this
would include circumstances where the Crown has a fiduciary obligation regarding a
right that has been recognized and over which the Crown has discretionary control.88
The rule set out in Delgamuukw which requires the First Nation's consent in certain
cases also still stands.89 Nevertheless, it may continue to be difficult to define the
exact situations when a fiduciary obligation arises or when the full consent of the
First Nation is required. In addition, the courts continue to have the challenge of
determining when the Crown can justifiably infringe an Aboriginal right without
breaching a fiduciary duty.

As Haida Nation, Taku River and Mikisew show, there are situations where
neither the consent of the Aboriginal peoples is required nor is there a fiduciary duty
owed to them. Does the honour of the Crown mean in these cases that as long as the

government has decided the infringement (the proposed land-use activity) is justified
and reasonable measures have been taken to consult and accommodate Aboriginal
concerns, the project can be approved? This would imply that projects which
substantially interfere with the ability of Aboriginal peoples to exercise their rights
can still be approved if the government can show that it had made some effort of
accommodation. Since the courts will grant some deference to government decision
makers, the government does not need to implement every feasible accommodation
measure.90

To summarize, a duty to consult does not necessarily lead to reconciliation.
There are many practical issues that need to be overcome in order to provide
effective notice and meaningful consultation, including adequate resources. Even
when the information can be provided and resources made available, consultation can
often be an adversarial preliminary step towards litigation rather than a genuine
attempt to find reconciliation. Moreover, adequate consultation does not guarantee
protection of Aboriginal rights or interests. The deference the courts give the Crown
may allow the Crown to fulfill its duty to consult and accommodate while infringing
Aboriginal or treaty rights.





21 Windsor Rev. Legal & Soc. Issues 33 (2006)
Honour of the Crown: The New Approach to Crown-Aboriginal Reconciliation [article]
Huyer, Timothy

Platinex in Long and Growing Matawa Consultation Queue

Free entry mining operates like McDonalds-first come, first served. The first company to stake a claim gets the right to work the ground.Of course First Nation rights trump these intruder rights, but we will leave that aside.

Platinex was happy to announce it had staked some new claims in the territory of various Matawa communities in the McFaulds Lake nickel and base metals boom.But unfortunately they were just the latest in a list of more than 40 companies active in the area.

If first come, first served is good enough for staking mining claims it seems to me that it should be the rule for First Nation consultation. Once the Matawa communities finish their consultations with the 40 other companies already in line then Platinex can be addressed.

Up until the other consultation duties are met no work by Platinex should proceed. To work would only mean infringing on Matawa aboriginal and treaty rights prior to consultation.And company infringements without community consultation can only lead to trouble.

At the rate ( trickle, trickle) Ontario is putting resources into First Nation consultation we can expect that Platinex won't be getting on the ground anytime soon.

Matawa Chiefs Demand That No Platinex Claims Be Recorded Prior to First Nation Consultation

"As First Nation Chiefs, we are disappointed by the inaction of the Government of Ontario to consult with and accommodate us about the mining claims that Platinex has staked in our territory. Such claims will likely have a direct impact on our communities. We need to be consulted before these claims are accepted or recorded by Ontario. The Ontario Government has lagged considerably behind jurisprudence on Aboriginal and Treaty rights, and must update the Mining Act to conform to current Canadian law. If serious attention is not given to this matter soon, the uncertainty that currently faces the mineral industry on duty to consult issues will worsen and support for mineral development from First Nations will wane".

The Matawa First Nations consist of nine First Nations located throughout north-western Ontario with their tribal council in Thunder Bay.

Globe and Mail Says KI6 Will Drive Mining Act Changes

http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080424.wdrohan0424/GIStory/
Time to update Ontario's Mining Act
Madelaine Drohan
Thursday, April 24, 2008
OTTAWA — The KI-6 may not be household names in Canada, but the six imprisoned residents from the First Nations community of Kitchenuhamaykoosib Inninuwug in Northern Ontario may well force the provincial government to finally update its 135-year-old Mining Act.
Their six-month jail sentence, imposed by an Ontario Superior Court judge on grounds they were preventing mining exploration on land they claim north of Thunder Bay, has done more to publicize the unfairness and antiquity of the current mining law than all the peaceful protests that came before.
With the head of the Anglican Church in Canada comparing it to the action of colonizers, a group of high-profile Canadians, including Margaret Atwood and Stephen Lewis, demanding their release, and hundreds of aboriginal protesters gathering on the lawns of Queen's Park this week, Premier Dalton McGuinty was forced to acknowledge publicly that the Mining Act has to be modernized.
The government has known this for some time and started two years ago to do some preparatory work for a full-scale review. The question now is whether the Premier will follow through and demand that the ministers involved (Aboriginal Affairs, Environment, Economic Development and Trade, and Northern Development and Mines) set aside their differences and agree to an actual timetable with a real deadline to ensure what is now just a vague promise becomes a concrete reality.
In his comments to reporters, Mr. McGuinty alluded to some of the reasons why updating the legislation has remained on the government's backburner. Mining and mining finance is big business in the province. Ontario produces more non-fuel metals and minerals than any other province in Canada, more than $10-billion worth in 2007. With some auto makers and other manufacturers in difficulty and the financial sector in turmoil, there is little inclination to make major changes that would affect another major industry.
It does not help that mining happens out of sight of Toronto. It takes place mostly in Northern Ontario, where there are few voters and even fewer government MPPs. The combination means that the concerns of the north do not resonate loudly in the hallways of Queen's Park. Just ask the northern residents who want to separate and join Manitoba on grounds that they might have more clout in a smaller province.
Further dampening any inclination to act is that aboriginal affairs is primarily a federal responsibility. The Constitution dictates that First Nations deal on a government-to-government basis with Ottawa, not with provincial governments. These jurisdictional layers make it easier to do nothing than to come to grips with the problem.
This has allowed some mining companies, including the one working near Kitchenuhamaykoosib Inninuwug, which is called Platinex, to stake claims and proceed with exploration against the wishes of the community, while still remaining within the terms of the Mining Act. Something similar has occurred near Sharbot Lake, near Peterborough, where Frontenac Ventures was exploring for uranium over community protests. Bob Lovelace, a retired Algonquin chief and university professor, was also jailed for six months for protesting against this project.
The status quo will not hold, and not just because of the negative publicity generated by jailing peaceful protesters – although that has certainly turned up the heat on the provincial government. There are also two relatively recent Supreme Court rulings involving cases in British Columbia that have changed the lay of the land completely and put extra pressure on the Ontario government.
In the decisions, which involved a forestry project and a mine in B.C., the Supreme Court ruled that the federal and provincial governments had a duty to consult aboriginal groups and to accommodate their concerns even before aboriginal title or rights claims had been decided. This is an important missing piece in the Ontario Mining Act. It does not require these consultations.
Some mining companies do them regardless, knowing that it is better to work in a community where people feel their concerns have been addressed than to steam ahead with a mine development and risk protests later that will cost money and time. Indeed, although there are some outliers, the trend in the industry is to work more closely with aboriginal groups, not just in Canada, but also around the world.
If done well, it works for both parties: The communities get development and jobs and the companies get access to minerals and workers. The Mining Association of Canada is working with the Assembly of First Nations to craft an agreement on wide-ranging collaboration.
While a positive step, this is not a substitute for modern mining legislation. With prices for metals and minerals high and still rising in some cases, mining activity in Ontario is set to increase. Unless the government gets the lead out and updates its Mining Act, confrontations between aboriginal groups and mining companies will continue to increase.
“The Mining Act, as it is currently written, is not in keeping with our standards and expectations and values that we share today,” Mr. McGuinty said this week.
The onus is on the Premier and his ministers to do something about it now.
© The Globe and Mail

The Platinex Infringement on KI, Wapekeka, Kingfisher and Wunnumin

KIFN Members Jailed for Six Months

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Irony of KI Litigation; They Win a Right They Never Wanted, The Right To Make a Deal

Earth To Minister Bryant, How Could The Consultation Duty be Met? Parties Failed to Arrive at Funding, Let Alone Substance

Ontario's Low End of the Spectrum View on Duty to Consult at Drill Stage

Free Bob Lovelace and the KI 6: Ryerson Rally - April 9 '08

Dalton Wants New Mining Act

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080424.NATS24-2/TPStory?cid=al_gam_globeedge

McGuinty vows changes for natives in mining law
KAREN HOWLETT
April 24, 2008

Native leaders in Ontario have been pushing the government to change the province's mining laws to better protect their interests when companies explore for minerals on their traditional lands.

Yesterday - the same day native leaders from across the province held a rally in front of the legislature over the jailing of six members of a remote reserve who opposed mining on their land - they got their wish. Premier Dalton McGuinty vowed to reform the province's 135-year-old mining act to strike a better balance between the competing interests of mining companies and native communities.

"We've got a problem with the mining act," Mr. McGuinty told reporters. "I don't think it's in keeping with our values and expectations at the beginning of the 21st century."

Schedule of Upcoming Toronto Events

1. Showing of "Uranium" and talk with AAFN lawyer Chris Ried - April 25

2. Updated schedule for Toronto Citzens' Iniquiry on Uranim Mining - April 26

3. Aboriginal minister Michael Bryant and Paul Martin on "aboriginal economic development" - May 1

4. Gold mining and indigenous resistance: (i) Barrick Gold events in May; (ii) Goldcorp events in May

Posted by Students Against Climate Change http://studentsagainstclimatechange.blogspot.com/
_______________________________________________________

1. Showing of "Uranium" and talk with AAFN lawyer Chris Ried - April 25



Friday, April 25 - 7 p.m. Uranium, 49 minutes, NFB, is a 1990 documentary that explores the consequences of uranium mining in Canada. Because of toxic and radioactive waste, there are profound, long-term environmental hazards. For uranium miners, there is the substantially increased risk of getting cancer. And, because most of the mining has been on First Nations’ land, uranium mining violates the traditional economic and spiritual lives of many aboriginal people.

After the screening, Chris Reid, lawyer for the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation will speak and answer questions about the current struggle in Sharbot Lake and the case of the imprisoned KI 5.

Each of the films in this series will be preceded by a brief introduction, and will be followed by a commentary, and an open floor discussion period.

OISE, 252 Bloor St. West, Room 2-212
at the St. George Subway Station. Everyone welcome. $2 donation requested.

________________________________________

2. Updated schedule for Toronto Citzens' Iniquiry on Uranim Mining - April 26

The schedule is under constant revision as speakers request different spots. However, as of this date, here is the schedule. Unfortunately, there is no more room for additional speakers at this point, but written statments will be accepted. Please note that Chief Paula Sherman is unable to make it due personal issues, but this space will be filled by either AAFN lawyer Chris Reid or Bob Lovelace's contribution from prison to the Citizens' Inquiry. The proceedings will be videotaped and written submissions and videos submitted to the Ontario government and to the media and made available to the public for future reference.

TORONTO CITIZENS’ INQUIRY ON URANIUM MINING

Sat. April 26, 2008 – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hart House, East Common Room, 7 Hart House Circle, University of Toronto

9:00 - 9:30 Introduction, opening ceremonies
* Traditional aboriginal prayer by Catherine Longbow
* Prayer to the Creator by Rev. Ralph Carl Wushke, ecumenical chaplain

Health Effects forum
9:30 -10:10 : Faye Moore, Port Hope Health Concerns Committee - on uranium processing
10:10 - 10:30 : Dr. Dorothy Goldin-Rosenberg, University of Toronto
10:30 - 10:45 : Marion Odell, International Institute of Concern for Public Health
Questions and discussion

BREAK 10:45 - 11:00

Colonialism & mining forum
11:00 – 11:30 : Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (AAFN) rep. OR Letter from Bob Lovelace
11:30 - 11:45 : Lorraine Rekmans, First Nations speaker, author of "This is My Homeland"
- on uranium contamination of Serpent River First Nation, near Eliot Lake
11:45 – 12:00 : Doctor Jorge Sorger, McMaster University, on colonialism
12:00 - 12:15 : Erin Chiblow, member of Mississauga First Nation, on industrial toxins
Questions and discussions

LUNCH 12:30 - 1:00

Music by Michael Johnson (of Streets are for People)
Poem by Chai Khevlar (of Just 1 World)
Video art by Txus the rebel activist clown
Song by Tom: "what’s good for the Earth"

1:00 - 1:10 : Venezuela We Are with You - statment of solidarity
1:10 - 1:20 : Rosalia Paiva, indigenous activist

Community resistance to mining forum
1:20 - 1:35 : Donna Dillman, Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU)
1:35 - 1:50 : Mike Nickerson, Sustain Well Being
1:50 - 2:00 : Frank Morrison - whose land was staked near Sharbot Lake
2:00 - 2:10 : Questions and discussion

2:10 -2:20 : Rob Milling, Greenpeace Canada - on environmental concerns
2:20 – 2:30 : Barry Weisleder, Socialist Action, NDP - statment of solidarity
2:30 – 2:40 : Judi Deutsch, Science for Peace - on depleted uranium and nuclear weapons
2:40 – 2:50 :
2:50 – 3:00 : Frank DeJong, Ontario Green Party

3:00 – 3:15 BREAK

3:15 – 3:25 :Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu, Toronto Climate Campaign; Sharon Howarth, Next Generation
3:25 – 3:35 : Karen Buck, Citizens for a Safe Environment
3:35 – 3:45 : Brian Burch, Toronto Action for Social Change - on use of uranium in weapons
3:45 – 3:55 : Margaret Sumadh, KAIROS (Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives)
4:00 – 4:10 : Kevin Best, anti-mining activist - on non-violent direct action to close mines
4:10 – 4:20 : Angela Bischoff, Greenspiration
4:20 – 4:30: Chai Khevlar
4:30 - 5:00 : Discussion

Contact pyork_2002@hotmail.com for more information.
_______________________________________________________

3. Aboriginal minister Michael Bryant and Paul Martin on "aboriginal economic development" - May 1



Summit on Aboriginal Economic Development

Source: http://www.law.utoronto.ca/faculty_content.asp?itemPath=1/13/0/0/0&contentId=1708
Developing Aboriginal Economies
May 1, 2008
9:00am – 5:00pm
University of Toronto Faculty of Law
Bennett Lecture Hall, 78 Queen's Park

On May 1, 2008, the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, in partnership with the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, will be hosting a summit entitled "Developing Aboriginal Economies." The summit is a one-day symposium featuring two roundtables with a diverse group of panelists. The goal of this summit is to provide a forum for new ideas and new approaches to economic development in Aboriginal communities.

Canada’s Aboriginal communities are extremely diverse, and so too is the range of economic challenges facing these communities. The Faculty of Law recognizes that meeting the challenge of developing Aboriginal economies will require complex and multifaceted solutions. Thus, the intention of this summit is not simply to generate ideas, but to bring together the parties needed to forge unique and useful coalitions. With this in mind, our panelists include not only members of the bar and the Academy but also elected officials such as Ontario's Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, business persons, and Aboriginal people in their capacities as leaders, bankers, and heads of corporations.


Preliminary Program [below]
Registration is required.
Register using the online registration form
Directions to the law school
Registrants can attend the conference without charge. If you wish to purchase tickets to support this event, please contact Douglas Sanderson at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto: d.sanderson@utoronto.ca

------------------------

Agenda
May 01 / 2008 Summit:
Developing Aboriginal Economies
Welcome: Dean Mayo Moran
Key Note Address: Rupert Ross, author and Crown Attorney
Round table 1 -- Moderator: Shin Imai
Discussion until 12:30pm. A 10 minute break will occur mid-morning.

Lands and Resources: Control, Access, Consultation and Accommodation
The speakers at this round table will explore the constitutional, regulatory, statutory, and jurisdictional issues that affect Aboriginal economies and their development.

Panellists
Jason Madden, counsel Métis Nation of Ontario
Former Chief Mike Carpenter, Attawapiskat First Nation
Professor John Borrows, University of Victoria
John A. Olthuis, partner at Olthuis, Kleer Townsend
Professor Michael Trebilcock, University of Toronto
John Richards, Simon Fraser University, and the CD Howe Institute.
Darwin Hanna, Counsel to many BC First Nations, Adjunct Professor, UBC
Murray Sinclair, Justice, Court of Queens Bench, Manitoba (TBC)
Roberta Jamieson, CEO, National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (TBC)

Lunch Time Greetings and Welcome (12:35pm)
The Hon. Michael Bryant, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Province of Ontario

1:00-2:00 pm
Student Presenters
Round table 2 – Moderator Darlene Johnston
Discussion set to last until 5:00pm. A 10 minute break will occur mid-afternoon
Overcoming the Legacy: Developing Aboriginal Economies

The speakers at this roundtable will examine strategies for transforming Aboriginal economies and institutions.
Panellists
Herb George, First Nations Governance Institute
Douglas Sanderson, Visiting Scholar, University of Toronto
Stephen Cornell, co-director of The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic
Development, and Director of the Udall Centre for Studies in Public Policy and Professor of
Sociology and of Public Administration and Policy at The University of Arizona
Sylvia Maracle, Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres
Clint Davis, President and CEO, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
Manny Jules, Chairman, First Nations Tax Commission
Professor Marianna Prado, University of Toronto
Rochelle Cote, University of Toronto, Department of Sociology,
Closing Remarks (5pm)
Faculty of Law, Dean Mayo Moran
Reception
Speakers: Paul Martin

-----------------------------


_______________________________________________________

4. Gold mining and indigenous resistance

On May 6 and May 20 there will be peaceful protests and press conferences outside the AGMs of Barrick Gold and Goldcorp in Toronto, two of the world's largest gold mining operations. Here is a report from a Barrick action we did last year: http://www.protestbarrick.net/article.php?id=198

Toxic mining tailings, the exploitaint and disregard for indigenous peoples, human rights abuses, murder, corruption, violence and environmental devestation are the topics of the press conferences. Indigenous activists will be flown in for both.

ProtestBarrick.net (http://www.protestbarrick.net/) and Rights Action (http://www.rightsaction.org/) are the two groups sponsoring these events. Students Against Climate Change will be at both in support.

----------------------

(i) Barrick Gold events culiminating in protest and press conference May 6

Communities from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Chile, and the U.S. will be speaking over the next month about their resistance to Toronto’s Barrick Gold, the world’s largest gold miner.

Sunday, May 4th: Indigenous Voices Against Barrick.Our guest will make presentations, show short films, and answer questions about mining on thier land. Steelworkers Hall. 7-9pm. 25 Cecil. sponsored by Mining Watch Canada, ProtestBarrick.net, Mineral Policy Institute (AUS), Friends of the Earth (AUS) and Western Shoshone Defense Project (U.S.)

Tuesday, May 6th: Barrick shareholders meeting10am, Rally to express your disapproval of Barrick’s conduct abroad and join voices calling for mandatory regulation to hold Canadian Mining Companies accountable. 250 Front Ave.

Wednesday, May 7th: Film Screening and Speakers. "Pascua Lama: a contemportary quest for El Dorado" with film-maker Prof. Carolina Loyola-Garcia, writer Asad Ismi, and Indigenous guests. 6pm Steelworkers hall. 25 Cecil. sponsored by Toronto the Better, and the U of T Anthropology dept.

Thursday, May 8th Photo exhibit "Someone Else’s Treasure: Barrick’s legacy in the Philippines, and Other Struggles Against Mining Expoitation" Photo exhibit by Allan Cedillo Lissner 8pm Leonardo Galleries. 133 Avenue Road ( just south of Davenport). Part of the 2008 CONTACT Photography Festival.

For more information see http://protestbarrick.net

---------------------------

(ii) Goldcorp

THE "OTHER GOLDCORP SHAREHOLDERS"
TO MEET IN TORONTO & GUATEMALA CITY

On May 20, Goldcorp Inc. (www.goldcorp.com) will hold its Annual Shareholder Meeting at 2:00pm: Le Royal Meridien, King Edward Hotel, Toronto, 37 King St. E, Toronto.
Building on our "Investing in Conflict" speaking tour, and upon years of critical education and resistance work by groups in Central and North America, Rights Action - in conjunction with organizations and concerned citizens in Honduras, Guatemala and North America - is planning educational and activist events in Toronto and Guatemala, to coincide with Goldcorp's Annual Shareholder Meeting.

Goldcorp Inc. operates mines throughout the Americas, including the "San Martin" open pit, cyanide leaching gold mine, that has caused a health and environmental crisis in the Siria Valley, Honduras, and the "Marlin" gold and silver open pit mine that is contributing to health and environmental harms in numerous Mayan communities of San Marcos, Guatemala. Both mines operate without community consent; they are depleting and contaminating vital water sources; they are contributing to repression and to community tensions and breakdown.
Unbeknownst to them, many USA and Canadian citizens are shareholders in Goldcorp Inc.

Example: The CPP (Canadian Pension Plan) has over $200,000,000 of investments in Goldcorp. Many other North American investment firms and pension funds are invested in Goldcorp (as well as in other mining, resource extraction and military production industries).

IN TORONTO: Is your organization/ community interested in planning your educational activities in the days leading up to May 20th and/or coordinating events and activities with Rights Action? Are you interested in organizing a group of people to join a mid-day peaceful information picket at the Le Royal Meridien, King Edward Hotel on May 20th?

IN GUATEMALA: For more information about activities being planned in Guatemala City, contact: info@rightsaction.org.

CONTACT: info@rightsaction.org, 1-860-352-2448 .

PLEASE POST and RE-DISTRIBUTE THIS INFORMATION

Trussler Says KI Has 300K of His Stuff. Drill Cores?

Platinex fights back on mining development
By ALANA TOULIN, The Chronicle-Journal
Thursday, April 24, 2008


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Platinex's newly-announced mining developments in remote Northern
Ontario have drawn some harsh criticism from NDP Leader Howard Hampton
– something that has made the Toronto-area exploration company's
president and CEO quite angry.
"I am very irate about what Mr. Hampton is doing," said James Trusler,
who until now has mostly remained quiet throughout the long legal saga
between his company and the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation
over mining rights on land claimed as traditional territory.
Hampton released a statement on Tuesday deeming it "outrageous" that
the provincial government would award Platinex 72,000 acres of new
mining claims while the leaders from the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
(KI) First Nation remain in jail.
Since the new Platinex claims are located near Webequie First Nation,
Marten Falls First Nation, Fort Hope First Nation, Neskantaga First
Nation and Gull Bay First Nation, Hampton claims it sends a "chilling
message" to other northern aboriginal communities.
"On one hand, First Nations leaders are jailed because they demand
their constitutional right to be consulted and accommodated before
potential environmental damage happens to their lands; while on the
other hand Platinex is awarded extensive new mining rights after suing
KI for $10 billion and nearly bankrupting the community in the
process," he said in the statement. "Is this the message the McGuinty
government wants to send to First Nations: If you stand up and ask for
your constitutional rights to be recognized, you could go to jail,
while the mining company gets mining rights to your land?"
Trusler balked at Hampton's remarks and said that his company has
properly gone through the process set out by the Mining Act to obtain
its exploration rights.
"We're able to stake, we have a licence to stake, and we're able to
hire stakers and stake," he said, adding that they are "quite willing"
to work with other First Nations.
"I don't really appreciate Mr. Hampton trying to escalate the situation
– I think that's really what he is doing."
Trusler said Platinex will be coming out with a statement soon
presenting its side, since he is sick of everything that has been
"manipulated" throughout the court process with KI.
For instance, Trusler is quick to point out that Platinex is a small
company that he has run from the basement of his home. It are
environmentally conscious, he says, looking to mine platinum to be used
in fuel cells that can be used to combat global warming, and they has a
number of investors.
He lashed out at what he called a "large group effort" to undermine his
business.
"If that's the way the country is going to go, trying to snuff out
small entrepreneurial efforts – who, by the way, are people trying to
come up with solutions to global problems – it's just asinine, really,"
he said.
Additionally, Trusler alleges that Platinex almost faced bankruptcy
itself after KI "removed" $300,000 worth of unspecified materials from
it.
"The court ordered them to return it and they haven't," Trusler said.
"It's now worth about $600,000 if you look at the escalation in fuel
prices."
Jacob Ostaman, acting spokesperson for KI, showed disappointment that
Platinex is expanding its explorations in Northern Ontario.
"We're trying to send a message that the Mining Act is not appropriate
in regard to First Nations' interests," he said. "To continue to issue
mining permits, that's a source of the problem. It's disrespectful to
our people that are in jail right now."
A spokesperson for Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael
Gravelle confirmed yesterday that there will be an expedited review of
the contempt of court sentence for the six jailed KI leaders.

Tinder, A Spark

Aboriginal anger grows over mining
Posted By Jered Stuffco
Posted -5 sec ago

As the Ontario government looks to revise antiquated mining laws that
neglect First Nations land rights, one leader is warning that simmering
frustration in many aboriginal communities could lead to another summer
of unrest.

"Because of the situation with the First Nation youth, they're losing
hope," Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage said
Wednesday.

"If they have nothing to lose, then they could erupt into any kind of
violence or protest.

"Frustrated youth can become a very powerful force."

Beaucage made the comments shortly after speaking to demonstrators at
Queen's Park who gathered to protest the jailing of six aboriginal
activists last month.

Hundreds of people, including aboriginal leaders and opposition
politicians, rallied in a show of solidarity with the jailed members of
the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation.

The KI community members, including Chief Donny Morris and Deputy Chief
Jack MacKay, were jailed last month after they ignored a court order to
stay off disputed land about 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

A court injunction gave Toronto-based junior mining company Platinex
Inc. authority to drill on the land, which the KI say is their own.
Wednesday's protest came a day after the Ontario government awarded
more than 29,000 hectares of new land to Platinex Inc., which has also
launched a $10-million lawsuit against the KI.

Beaucage said these newly granted mining lands fall alongside or within
at least five northern Ontario First Nations.

He said the announcement is "completely inappropriate," especially in
light of the provincial government's stated commitment to redraw the
Mining Act.

"The Mining Act is over 150 years old and it's completely archaic,"
Beaucage said, adding that when the Mining Act was introduced in the
Ontario legislature, many treaties had yet to be signed.

Vancouver View of KI Struggle

Keeping natives dependent doesn't benefit anyone
Letter
Published: Thursday, April 24, 2008

Too few Canadians are realistic in their expectations that first
nations people can simply "pull up their socks" and drag themselves out
of the systemic poverty they endure. Many seem to have little
understanding of the obstacles presented by reserve conditions and the
limitations of the Indian Act.

In fact, it appears from recent events (the Metro Vancouver board's
challenge to the Musqueam-University of B.C land deal, the B.C. Supreme
Court's denial of commercial fishing rights to Lax Kw'alaams, the
imprisonment of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug band members in Ontario,
and conflicts at Caledonia and Desoronto) that our governments and
courts prefer to maintain the status quo of dependency.

The need to settle land claims quickly to recognize aboriginal title to
ancestral lands and allow natives to become more self-reliant
financially seems self-evident. This position is well-supported by the
experience of completed land claims in the United States, New Zealand
and even Canada.


It is clear that our present system does not work to anyone's benefit.
Our governments need to take bold and courageous action for change.
Given the chance, first nations communities and individuals can succeed
as well as any people.

Randall Gray

Vancouver


© The Vancouver Sun 2008

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Toronto Rally Wire Copy

Aboriginal activists gather in Toronto to call for changes to Ont.
mining laws
TORONTO - Activists protesting the jailing of six members of a
remote aboriginal community say the Ontario government must change
outdated mining laws.
Hundreds of people, including aboriginal leaders from across the
country, rallied at Queen's Park in Toronto today in a show of
solidarity with the jailed members of the KI First Nation.
The demonstration comes one day after the Ontario government awarded
more than 29,000 hectares of new land to Platinex Inc., whose recent
court action led to the jailings.
The KI community members, including Chief Donny Morris, were jailed
last month after they ignored a court order to stay off disputed land.
Critics say the new land award could infringe upon several northern
Ontario aboriginal groups and set a chilling precedent for future land
disputes.
Premier Dalton McGuinty says the laws, which are at least 80 years
old, are due for an update and don't reflect current social or
environmental standards.

Hampton Continues to Press Dalton Gang

Hansard-Ontario Legislature april 23, 2008


Aboriginal rights

Mr. Howard Hampton: My question is to the Premier: Premier, yesterday Platinex Inc. announced that under the Ontario Mining Act, it has staked an additional 72,000 acres of crown land adjacent to Webequie First Nation, Marten Falls First Nation, Eabametoong First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation and Gull Bay First Nation.

The Premier will know that Platinex is the mining exploration company which sued Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation for $10 billion and played a role in the jailing of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib First Nation leadership.

My question: Why weren’t the First Nations I mentioned consulted and accommodated by the McGuinty government before Platinex was allowed to register these new mining claims?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
Hon. Michael Bryant: I do want to address elements of the member’s question. I want to start by, Speaker, acknowledging, as you have, Grand Chief Angus Toulouse, regional chief for Ontario and grand chiefs, as well as chiefs from across the province and supporters of KI Chief Donny Morris and council.

There is obviously a particular culpability that rests with the government of the day when it comes to injustices endured, and sometimes conquered, by First Nations. I would say that while there are no elected angels here, I am certainly accountable for the state of affairs and I will say that we have and we will continue to work to see that chief and council are released from prison so that we can get on with finding a way to have chief and council and the entire KI community come to a resolution of this matter.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary.
Mr. Howard Hampton: Speaker, forgive me, but I didn’t hear an answer to the question. What First Nations want to know, particularly the additional First Nations who now find they will have to deal with Platinex, is, did the McGuinty government fulfill its constitutional duty to consult and accommodate First Nations’ interests before Platinex was allowed to register these new mining claims?

I know why there was no answer. There was no answer because the McGuinty government failed again to do its constitutional duty to consult and accommodate First Nations.

But my next question is this: Has the minister notified the affected First Nations that their traditional lands have been staked and are now under the Ontario Mining Act, wide open for mining exploration by Platinex?

Hon. Michael Bryant: I’m going to answer the member’s question. I will say, however, that at some point, the specificity may require me to refer to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. For now, I will say this: The Premier has already said that a change to the Mining Act is absolutely necessary. It is the case that the Ontario Superior Court found that the government of Ontario had, in fact, met its consultation requirements.

But it is my view and it is this government’s view that the minimum constitutional requirements as a government and as a policy, are simply just that, a minimum. The goal in every case has got to be to try and facilitate an agreement: an agreement so as to recognize the self determination of First Nations; an agreement as to recognize the necessity of, in this case, the economic opportunity for a First Nation; but at the end of the day, to try and achieve an agreement. Yes, we will pursue the constitutional minimums, of course. But the goal is to get an agreement.

Mr. Howard Hampton: This is bizarre. First Nation leader are in jail, the mining company which is at the centre of this has 72,000 additional acres of mining rights now, equivalent to more than half the area of the city of Toronto, and the McGuinty government seems to think that this is all proceeding. That all you have to do is get an agreement.

There are rights and interests here. I did not hear an answer to the second question: Have First Nations been notified? In fact, no, they haven’t. Because on that issue again, the McGuinty government is missing in action.

So, I ask this question: With First Nation leaders in jail simply because they tried to stand up and defend their aboriginal rights, with the mining company getting more mining exploration rights, can the McGuinty government tell us why they continue to put mining interests ahead of First Nation interests in Ontario?

Hon. Michael Bryant: I know that there are many First Nations leaders, chiefs, individuals supporters of First Nations and non-aboriginals descent who are here in support of KI chief and council. We oppose the incarceration of KI chief and council. With respect to their release from prison, as soon as the appeal was filed, which could only be filed by the parties, the Attorney General filed a motion to expedite the appeal and has already indicated that the crown will be taking the position of supporting the appeal so that they be released. We are taking steps to see that they are released. We did oppose their incarceration. I personally made every effort to try and facilitate a resolution, however imperfectly, that would have avoided that incarceration and I will continue to make these efforts to try and resolve the situation.

Aboriginal rights

Mr. Howard Hampton: To the Premier again, the leadership of KI beg to differ with the minister about the positions that the government of Ontario, the McGuinty government, has taken with respect to the incarceration of the leadership. The question I have for the Premier is—today, First Nations leaders, environmentalists and concerned Ontario citizens gathered here at Queen’s Park to voice their anger at the McGuinty government’s failure properly consult and accommodate the rights and interests of First Nations, in this case, the KI First Nation and Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, regarding mineral exploration on their traditional lands. My question is this: Why hasn’t the McGuinty government issued a stop order and removed the lands in question from mineral exploration and begun the consultation that you failed to do in the first place?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I think I owe it to the leadership present and the people who gathered on the front lawn some response before I refer further questions to my colleague.

Let me just say this to those present and those who have a direct interest in this. We have inherited here in this province an imperfect history when it comes to the relationship between government and our First Nations and aboriginal communities.

We have assumed responsibility hither to, not fully assumed, and certainly not as earnestly as we have. We have established a separate ministry; I have a new minister in place. We have established some wins, I would argue, in terms of dealing with the aftermath of the Ipperwash tragedy. We have arrived at a new conclusion to a gaming agreement. We’ve also inherited an imperfect system when it comes to how mining claims are dealt with in Ontario. We have to address that, but I don’t want the leadership to doubt one instance our determination to find a better way.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary.
Mr. Howard Hampton: Premier, there’s one problem with everything you say. These issues didn’t crop up overnight. You’ve been the government now for almost five years and for over five years, people like myself and the member for Timmins–James Bay have been raising these issues. The McGuinty government has made announcement after announcement, but you failed to act. Yesterday, on Earth Day, you would have received a letter from many prominent Canadians, Margaret Atwood, Sarah Harmer, Cathy Jones, Stephen Lewis, among others, and the letter states: “We do not believe that mining should supersede the rights of people to protect their homes and their health.”

Premier, why has the McGuinty government failed to listen to those people? Why have you failed to listen to First Nation leaders who’ve asked you to make these changes over and over again? Why do we continue to see mining exploration companies getting more rights and more privileges, while First Nation leaders are in jail?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
Hon. Michael Bryant: The discussion with respect to Mining Act changes is one that I have had with the Ipperwash commission implementation committee, which included and was asked for by grand chiefs and we talked about exactly that. We talked about exactly how that consultation would take place. I indicated on behalf of the government that, in fact, the discussion would not be the usual one, whereby the government gives, historically, over the past 100 years plus—The First Nations leader would be lucky to receive a heads-up as to what the government’s intentions were. Instead, what our approach is, is to collaborate from the beginning of this process to ensure that, in fact, First Nations leadership is very much a part of how we make these changes. We’ve made that commitment and we’re working together to achieve just that.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.
Mr. Howard Hampton: Once again, there is a glaring problem with what the minister said. You showed up in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug with a document that you had drafted; you put it down on the table and you basically said to the leadership of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, “Sign here.” There was no consultation. Chief Donny Morris is very clear: It was unilateral, “Sign here and there shall be mining exploration in your traditional territory.” Now, both KI First Nation and Ardoch First Nation have asked the McGuinty government to establish a joint panel to deal with the issue of mineral exploration and mineral development on their traditional lands. The letter to the Premier yesterday, from Margaret Atwood and others, requests the same joint panel.

Can the Premier tell us: Why has the McGuinty government refused to establish the joint panel requested by the First Nations?

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Minister?
Hon. Michael Bryant: Firstly, the member is mistaken if he suggests that in my first visit up there with Grand Chief Beardy, I put any document onto the table. In fact, on the contrary, I received a proposal from KI chief and council and I listened, and at the end of that, I suggested that we could find agreement, I knew, on a number of points.

Secondly, with respect to a joint panel and entering into consultations, I just said that’s exactly what we’re doing right now. I want to be very clear: This government is engaged in consultation with First Nations leadership when it comes to changes to the Mining Act. Secondly, all efforts were made first to listen and then to, in fact, try and come to an agreement with Chief Morris and council. That’s why he said on May 5 that he appreciated the government’s efforts and the three times that I went up there, and the countless phone calls and letters that were exchanged—imperfectly, I recognize. However, we have and we will continue to try and achieve a resolution.

Stephen Lewis Expresses Solidarity with KI6

Stephen Lewis speaks on climate change during visit
TB News Source
Web Posted: 4/23/2008 8:08:49 PM
Click Camera To Watch This Newscast Stephen Lewis speaks on climate change during visit

A well-known diplomat and former politician is in Thunder Bay to address climate change at the Auditorium and with professional foresters.

Stephen Lewis arrived in the city Wednesday for a speaking engagement at the Community Auditorium.

Lewis is the former United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa and feels the world is responding to global warming and climate change with increasing alarm.

While in the city Lewis was also being briefed on the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug issue and he has added his name to the list of prominent Canadians supporting the six leaders who are serving jail sentences for civil contempt by ignoring a court order to allow a mine exploration company to resume drilling on land the band feels is sacred.

Lewis attends a Climate Change conference in the city on Thursday.

Toronto Rally Photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitchenuhmaykoosibhomeland/

Ontario Motion to Expedite Appeal

KI Statement at UN

Amnesty International Petition

Please sign the petition and circulate it to your friends...

Amnesty International has an online petition to support KI and the
Algonquins and to demand changes in the Mining Act. The following url
can be circulated for people to sign on:

<http://www.amnesty.ca/urgentappeal/mining>http://www.amnesty.ca/

urgentappeal/mining


Craig Benjamin
Campaigner for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Platinex's Muskeg Mischief

Well we thought we had seen the last of Platinex in Treaty No. 9.
But it was not to be.Platinex has staked a lot of new ground in the
McFaulds Lake base metals area play in Matawa territory.

Makes cynical minds wonder: what's or who is behind this deliberate act
of provocation.

No doubt Platinex knows that most of the Matawa communities are
represented by their old nemesis in the KI litigation Olthuis, Kleer
Townshend.

Are they flying a false flag and acting as the stalking horse for a
major? Perhaps their old association with CVRD (formerly Inco) is at play.

Or is this another deliberate act of provocation intended to spoil the
Noront party at McFaulds Lake and spread misery to the entire junior
mining sector?

The Platinex principals and their advisors are bona fide "indian
fighters" who know that no First Nation will welcome them with open
arms after they ran the lawsuit that led to the jailing of the KI6.

They are well and truly industry pariahs, a rogue corporation careening
dangerously out of control.

Or maybe not. In the backrooms maybe they are saying to Minister Bryant
and co. Please pay us to go away or we will continue to make trouble. After
all the Mining Act gives us the right to stake claims under the free
entry system; all without any notice or consultation with First Nations.
Legal and above board.

Deliberate provocation? Wonders of free entry?


Muskeg Mischief.

Thinking of Jack McKay's Daughter- I am Outraged !

KI Deputy chief's wife says public support helps them cope
TB News Source
Web Posted: 4/22/2008 7:47:35 PM
Click Camera To Watch This Newscast KI Deputy chief's wife says public
support helps them cope

The wife of one of the six Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug band members
puts a human face on the ordeal playing out in her family's life as she
visited her husband who is serving a six-month jail term for civil
contemp on Tuesday.

Theresa Mckay, wife of KI Deputy Grand Chief Jack Mckay says its been
hard having her husband away from home. Six members of the
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, including Chief Donny Morris
and Mackay were sentenced to six months in jail last December after
ignoring an injunction allowing Platinex Inc. to resume drilling on
traditional aboriginal territory.

Mckay is in Thunder Bay to visit her husband and is also taking part in
some teach-in sessions on the KI issue at Lakehead University.

She says the toughest part is explaining to her children why their
father is away ''especially for our daughter...she is hearing
impaired...but she knows he is there, she drew a picture for him.. he
was behind bars.''

Mckay says what is helping her and her family cope is the huge amount
of support they are receiving. On a regular basis letters and phone
calls have been coming in for Jack, who has been at the Thunder Bay
Correctional Centre for more than a month.

'' I have so much respect for him.. what he believes in,'' she said.

Wednesday the Ontario Regional Chief along with other First Nation
Leadership will assemble at Queen's Park and rally for the release of
the KI leaders.

Hampton Condemns Platinex, Watch Out Fort Hope, Neskantaga and Webequie They are Now on your Land

>>
>>
>> April 22, 2008 Hansard-Ontario Legislature
>>
>> Mr. Howard Hampton: To the Minister of Northern Development and
>> Mines. Could the minister tell us why the McGuinty government is
>> awarding Platinex Inc. new mining rights to 72,000 acres of land in
>> northern Ontario while First Nations leaders from Kitchenuhmaykoosib
>> Inninuwug who oppose mining exploration on their traditional lands
>> are sent to jail?
>>
>> Hon. Michael Gravelle (Minister of Northern Development and Mines):
>> I'm not in a position to comment on that in the sense that I'm not
>> aware of any particular permits that's been given to any other land
>> that's out there. In terms of the situation with Platinex and
>> Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, we very much regret the situation that
>> has resulted from the legal challenges, and I'm not able to comment
>> on those either. In terms of your specific question, I'm not aware of
>> any such arrangement being made.
>>
>> Mr. Howard Hampton: Well, I—
>> Hon. David Caplan (Minister of Public Infrastructure and Renewal):
>> Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. Standing order 23(g) says that the
>> Speaker shall call a member to order if they refer to a matter that
>> is subject to "a proceeding that is pending in a court or before a
>> judge for judicial determination."
>>
>> I believe the member has just done this. His House leader earlier
>> today referred to standing order 23(k). I ask for your ruling in this
>> matter.
>>
>> The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): A couple points on the point of
>> order. First, I'm not aware that it is an issue that is before the
>> courts right now. As well—
>>
>> Interjection.
>> The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I recognize and I thank the finance
>> minister for his comment. I also recognize that the leader of the
>> third party in his questioning, I'm sure, is going to be conscious
>> that it's not going to in any way interfere in any proceedings.
>>
>> Mr. Howard Hampton: I'm simply referring to historical fact now.
>> Historical fact is that the leadership of Kitchenuhmaykoosib
>> Inninuwug First Nation is in jail. They're in jail because they stood
>> up for their constitutional rights to be consulted and accommodated
>> before mining rights were handed out to a mining exploration company.
>>
>> On the other hand, Platinex, the company which sued the First Nation
>> for $10 billion and almost bankrupted the First Nation, is getting an
>> additional 72,000 acres of mining rights from the McGuinty
>> government, mining that would involve Webequie First Nation, Marten
>> Falls First Nation, Fort Hope First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation,
>> Gull Bay First Nation.
>>
>> I'm simply asking, is this the message the McGuinty government wants
>> to send to First Nations? Do you stand up and ask for your
>> constitutional rights to be recognized? You can go to jail while the
>> mining company gets mining rights half the size the city of Toronto.
>>
>> Hon. Michael Gravelle: There is no confirmation of these particular
>> permits or claims. I have no confirmation of that, but regardless, we
>> continue to work in terms of respecting our duty to consult. That's
>> been an important factor for us. It was acknowledged that, indeed, we
>> met our duty to consult. We absolutely feel terrible about the
>> situation in terms of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and what has
>> resulted in terms of the court case, but again, I can't discuss that
>> in any detail.
>>
>> We continue to work—there are some great stories out there in terms
>> of First Nations working very, very co-operatively and positively
>> with mining companies—memorandums of understandings have about signed
>> and impact benefit agreements have been signed with a number of First
>> Nations. We have a great example in the Victor Diamond Mine in
>> Attawapiskat, again, in terms of a process whereby there are very
>> positive impacts for First Nations communities. Certainly, I don't
>> think there needs to be the constant attempts to be very negative
>> about something that could be very positive for many, many First
>> Nations in the north.

Hampton condemns new mining claims for Platinex

>>>>
>
> April 22, 2008
>
>
> Hampton condemns new mining claims for Platinex
>
>
>
> Queen's Park - NDP Leader Howard Hampton condemned the McGuinty
> Liberals
> for awarding Platinex Inc. 72,000 acres of new mining claims in
> Northern
> Ontario.
>
> "It's outrageous that the McGuinty Liberals awarded Platinex new
> mining
> rights to 72,000 acres of land while leaders from Kitchenuhmaykoosib
> Inninuwug (KI) continue to languish in jail," said Hampton.
>
> Platinex is the exploration company that sued KI First Nation for $10
> billion dollars, nearly bankrupting the First Nation, and causing
> Chief
> Donny Morris and five KI councillors to go to jail for standing up for
> their constitutional rights.
>
> "These new Platinex claims are adjacent to Webequie First Nation,
> Marten
> Falls First Nation, Fort Hope First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation
> and
> Gull Bay First Nation," Hampton said.
>
> Hampton said this sends a chilling message to First Nations across the
> North.
>
> "On one hand, First Nations leaders are jailed because they demand
> their
> constitutional right to be consulted and accommodated before potential
> environmental damage happens to their lands while on the other hand,
> Platinex is awarded extensive new mining rights after suing KI for
> $10-billion and nearly bankrupting the community in the process," said
> Hampton.
>
> "Is this the message the McGuinty government wants to send to First
> Nations: if you stand up and ask for your constitutional rights to be
> recognized you could go to jail while the mining company gets mining
> rights to your land?" asked Hampton.
>
> - 30 -
>
> Media Inquiries: Marion Nader 416-325-2601

Platinex New Area, Fort Hope, Neskantaga and Webequie

�North McFauld's Lake – is located 22 km north of
Noront Resources' Eagle One and Eagle Two nickelcopper-
PGE discoveries. This property comprises
608 contiguous claim units covering 9,846 ha (24,320
acres). The property adjoins on the south and east a
claim block held by MacDonald Mines and Temex
Resources, and on the west a block held by Noront
Resources. It was staked to cover a layered intrusion
coupled with magnetic anomalies which was recently
revealed in survey publications by the Ontario
government.
�South McFauld's Lake – is located 25 km southwest of Noront Resources'
Eagle One and Eagle Two nickel-copper-PGE
discoveries. This property comprises 692 claim units in three blocks
covering 11,206 ha (27,680 acres). The property adjoins
a block held by MacDonald Mines, Temex and Baltic Resources on the
southeast, a claim block held by MacDonald Mines
and Temex Resources to the east, and a block held by Noront Resources
and MacDonald Mines on the west. Platinex staked
it covering a layered intrusion that is coupled with magnetic anomalies
and the possible strike extension to the southwest of
the host environment for the Noront discoveries; all of which were have
been recently revealed in survey publications by the
Ontario government.
�Norton Lake – is located 413 km north of Thunder Bay and 50 km
northeast of Fort Hope in Ontario. This property
comprises 56 claim units for 907 ha (2,240 acres). The property covers
a magnetic anomaly to the south and west of a 2.46
million-tonne resource of nickel, copper, cobalt, and palladium held by
Cascadia International Resources and East West
Resources. Lake sediment anomalies in the area suggest an environment
promising for these metals on the Norton Lake
prospect.
�Awkward Lake – is located 175 km north of Thunder Bay. This property
comprises 88 contiguous units covering 1,425 ha
(3,520 acres). The property adjoins the International Nickel Ventures
property on the south and the Cascadia International
Resources property on the southwest as with Norton Lake (above). It was
staked to cover the northern portion of the
Awkward Lake intrusion which is believed to be the same age and style
as the producing Lac des Iles intrusion belonging to
North American Palladium Ltd. and contains known nickel-copper-PGE
mineralization.

Ontario Blinks and Moves to Expedite KI Appeal for May 28th Toronto, Nice Prelude to Day of Action

The temperature is rising. Ontario ( didn't the minister say they were just friends of court and had their hands tied? guess he misspoke, likely using same pr firm as Hillary)) brought a motion to expedite the appeal.Date for Appeal( of sentence) now set for May 28th.Folks will be in Toronto for activities beginning May 26 and can now attend court of appeal on May 28th.

Prior Consent Required in Filipino Mining Act

In 1995, The Filipino government passed a Mining Act that required FPIC
for indigenous peoples, as well as the consent of the local government.
Tony LaVina, a senior fellow at World Resources Institute and former
official in the Philippines government, noted that "the law was
industry-driven and there was no objection from industry on the concept
of prior consent by indigenous peoples law." In 1996, the Mining and
Forestry Rules were revised to incorporate FPIC requirements and
provide details on how FPIC must be implemented. In 1997, the
Indigenous Peoples Right Act was passed by the Congress, enshrining the
principle of FPIC and providing the administrative system that
currently oversees its implementation for indigenous peoples (the
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples).

As a result of all this legislation, FPIC is now required in the
Philippines for all activities affecting the land and lives of
indigenous peoples. For other local communities, FPIC must be obtained
for all projects that require environmental impact assessments, and its
importance is further recognized through the concept [*540] of
"social acceptability."

LaVina summarizes the principal factors that led to this legislation
being passed in the Philippines:

. Acceptance of Human Rights Norms: The 1987 constitution of the
Philip pines incorporated recognition of human rights norms, strong
provisions on indigenous peoples' rights, due process, transparency and
public participation. The government continued to be influenced by
international law on indigenous peoples' rights and environmental
governance, particularly Principle 10 of the Rio Delaration.

. Peace and National Security Concerns: The Philippine government
saw FPIC as an instrumental tool to avoid conflict. (The potential
significance of FPIC as such a tool was emphasized by mapping of
conflict areas during the 1996 peace negotiations with Moro National
Liberation Front and National Democratic Front, which showed a
convergence between big projects which were socially unacceptable and
the presence of insurgent groups.)

. Economic Incentives: The Philippines had experienced
unanticipated costs for delay and legal/political repercussions of
large socially unacceptable projects, and wanted to put in place a
mechanism which would gauge social acceptability of projects before
project initiation, in order to prevent these unnecessary costs.

Copyright (c) 2007 Georgetown International Environmental Law Review
Georgetown International Environmental Law Review

Spring, 2007

19 Geo. Int'l Envtl. L. Rev. 475

LENGTH: 31258 words

ARTICLE: Partnerships for Success in Protected Areas: The Public
Interest and Local Community and Rights to Prior Informed Consent (PIC)

NAME: ANNE PERRAULT, * KIRK HERBERTSON, + and OWEN J. LYNCH ++

Unity Rally TOMORROW (Apr. 23) at Queen's Park

>
> -- PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY --
>  
>  
> UNITY RALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE KI-6
>  
> DATE: April 23, 2008, 1 p.m.
> PLACE: Queen's Park, front lawn
> INFO: Nathan Wright, 416-597-1266, nathan@coo.org
>  
> The Ontario Regional Chief and First Nation Leadership in Ontario
> invite all First Nation citizens and supporters to rally for the
> release of the political prisoners from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
> (KI).  The KI leadership have been imprisoned for preventing
> exploration on their territory and protecting their inherent and
> constitutional rights.
>  
> All concerned are invited to gather at the front lawn of Queen's Park
> at 1 p.m. for a peaceful gathering to send a unified message to the
> following audiences:
>  
> - All of Ontario - First Nations in Ontario support the imprisoned KI
> leadership and the community of KI
> - Ontario Lawmakers - Must respect and accommodate First Nations
> Inherent Laws
> - General Public - The full scope of the rule of law includes First
> Nations laws which must be respected.
>  

LU Prof Says Sacred Land at Issue in Platinex Drill Program

Group fasts in support of jailed KI members
TB News Source
Web Posted: 4/21/2008 8:38:09 PM
Click Camera To Watch This Newscast Group fasts in support of jailed KI
members

A group of about 30 elders, faculty, staff and students at Lakehead
University started a fast on Monday hoping to educate the community
about the situation and provide support for six Kitchenuhmaykoosib
Inninuwug band members in jail on civil contempt charges. The group
pledged at 8 a.m. Monday morning not to eat for 24 hours.

Speakers from various backgrounds took the opportunity to speak to the
group. Assistant professor Peggy Smith, who is taking part in the fast,
talked about the legal issues surrounding the case and is taking part
because the province has not lived up to its legal duties, although
they did consult with KI leaders she said.

Dr. Scott Hamilton, an archeologist and anthropologist also spoke at
the session and in his opinion one of the major problems surrounding
the KI issue is the fact that there is no information on the land. He
says data he found published in an atlas shows that there are hunting,
fishing and travel routes on the proposed exploration site.

With travel routes Hamilton says it is more than likely that other
sacred land is also intersected by the exploration site, which includes
first nation burial grounds. The group ends ends their fast Tuesday
morning.