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.
