Citizens shouldn't be jailed for protecting
their community from mining companies
Take Action!
Tell the premier of Ontario to release the KI Six and Robert Lovelace!
As you read this message, seven First Nation leaders sit in jail for
peacefully protesting mining activities on their traditional lands in
the boreal forests of Ontario, Canada.
Please send a letter to the Premier of Ontario urging the immediate
release of these community leaders.
Jailed for protecting their community
For peacefully asserting their rights and preventing mining company
officials from accessing their lands, these Kitchenuhmaykoosib
Inninuwug (KI) leaders, – known as the KI Six -- were sentenced to six
months in prison. The KI Six were sentenced just weeks after Ardoch
Algonquin First Nation spokesperson Robert Lovelace began serving a
six-month sentence for similar charges.
The 1,200 strong KI community of hunters, fishers, and trappers is
opposed to mining activities on their traditional lands in Northern
Ontario., Canadian company Platinex Inc. believes their lands contain
one of the world's largest platinum deposits.
TAKE ACTION!
Please write to the Ontario government today and demand the immediate
release of these political prisoners. The government needs to see an
overwhelming outpouring of public support.
Your voice can help convince Ontario that this heavy-handed approach is
unacceptable—and that the free, prior and informed consent of local
communities is an essential pre-requisite to mining.
Thank you.
Scott, Payal and Alan, EARTHWORKS
INSTRUCTIONS:
* Read the sample letter and modify if you can. Personalized letter
text and/or subject headers will increase the impact of your letter.
* Clicking "Send My Message" will send your letter via email to the
premier of Ontario
>>Learn More
Tell Me More:
Robert Lovelace, a retired Ardoch Algonquin Chief, was convicted in
February to six months in prison for helping organize protests against
a uranium mining company on Algonquin First Nation land. He and
community members blocked Frontenac Ventures from conducting
exploration on their lands.
On 17 March 2008, Justice Patrick Smith sentenced the KI 6 – KI Chief
Donny Morris, Deputy Chief Jack McCay, Head Councillor Cecilia Begg,
councilors Sam McKay and Darryl Sainnawap, and Bruce Sakakeep to six
month in jail.
The KI members were arrested in November 2007 for impeding mining
company officials after they flew in to the area airport. By doing so,
they allegedly broke a court order from 25 October that forbade them
from blocking the mining company's activities.
Two other community arrested community members, Evelyn Quequish and
Enus McKay, were made to agree to no longer impede the mining company
in order to avoid also going to jail. A ninth arrestee, John Cutfeet,
still awaits trial. The company, junior mining exploration corporation
Platinex Inc, headquartered near Toronto, had already previously
entered onto KI lands and faced protests.
These mining companies in northern Ontario failed to obtain free,
prior, and informed consent and are complicit in a violation of the
human rights of the of the imprisoned community members. Free, prior,
and informed consent is a central tenant of the Golden Rules and the
companies and the government of Ontario clearly have broken that Rule.
Write to Ontario Premier McGuinty now to demand justice!
For more information
* See the Free KI6 page.
* Read "the KI six: outlaws or prisoners of conscience?" orginally
published in he Toronto Globe and Mail on March 20, 2008:
http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096416914
* James Thom. "KI leaders incarcerated 6 months" Wawatay News
35(6), 20 March, 2008. http://www.wawataynews.ca/node/12802
April 21, 2008
Subject:
Dear Premier Dalton McGuinty and Minister Bryant
I am writing to express my concern about the arrest and imprisonment of
Ardoch Algonquin spokesperson Robert Lovelace, and the jail sentence
for six leaders of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation,
as a result of their peaceful protests of mining activities. I am
shocked by the harshness of the sentencing imposed for participation in
a peaceful protest against mining exploration -- exploration that was
approved by the province of Ontario without prior consultation and
consent of these indigenous communities. I therefore call on the
government of Ontario to: 1) Immediately release Robert Lovelace and
the six KI leaders. 2) Drop all charges, fines, and penalties against
First Nations who are non-violently protecting their traditional lands.
3) Only approve mining activities that have gained the free, prior, and
informed consent of the affected indigenous communities. I will
continue to follow the stories of these communities closely and to take
action in support of their efforts. I urge you to resolve these
conflicts through reconciliation, respect, and justice. Thank you.
Sincerely,
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