Support the Chief and Councillors of KI First Nation

>>
>>
>> From: msn-canada-
>> Sent: March 31, 2008 5:38 PM
>> To: msn-canada@lists.anarres.ca
>> Subject: Support the Chief and Councillors of KI First Nation
>>  
>> Please take a moment today to send a letter to Ontario Premier Dalton
>> McGuinty.
>>
>> The Maquila Solidarity Network has a long-standing relationship with
>> the leadership of KI First Nation, who have lent support to MSN's
>> campaigns over the years. Although this urgent action alert is not
>> specifically related to labour or women's rights in the apparel and
>> footwear industries, we hope our network will lend their support to
>> the leadership and citizens of the KI First Nation as they confront
>> corporations and governments that have failed to respect their
>> rights.
>>
>> On March 17, 2008, an Ontario Superior Court judge sentenced six
>> Aboriginal protesters to six months of jail for peacefully defying a
>> court order that would allow Platinex, a mining exploration company,
>> to drill for minerals on their traditional lands in Northern Ontario,
>> Canada. The Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation fears that
>> mining activity will jeopardize hunting and burial grounds and argues
>> that the Ontario government awarded the mining permits without
>> consulting and accommodating their people, a violation of aboriginal
>> rights and Canadian law.
>>  
>> The individuals jailed include the Chief and four Councilors of the
>> (KI) First Nation. One of them, a woman, is separately incarcerated
>> at the Thunder Bay District jail.
>>
>> KI First Nation continues to recognize its Chief and Councilors as
>> leaders in exile and as prisoners of conscience. It has also declared
>> that a 2001 community declared moratorium on exploration and
>> development will continue to be enforced in KI traditional territory,
>> pending resolution of a treaty land entitlement claim and fulfillment
>> of the Government of Ontario's legal obligation to consult and
>> accommodate.
>>
>> For more information and to monitor developments, check out:
>> http://intercontinentalcry.org/tag/kifn/
>> http://kitchenuhmaykoosib.com/
>>
>> Take action NOW!
>>
>> 1. Write today to the Premier of Ontario, demanding the release of
>> the jailed First Nation Chief and Councilors and a halt to mining
>> exploration in KI First Nation lands. Please cc Lynda Yanz at MSN so
>> that we can pass on copies of your letters to KI First Nation
>> leaders: lyanz@maquilasolidarity.org. You'll find a sample letter at
>> the end of this e-mail.
>>  
>> 2. You can also write letters of support to the jailed leaders.
>> Here are the names and addresses where you can send individual
>> letters of solidarity and encouragement. Chief Donny Morris, Deputy
>> Chief Jack McKay, Councillor Samuel McKay, Councillor Darryl
>> Sainnawap, Bruce Sakakeep, Lands & Environment Director:
>> C/O Thunder Bay Correctional Centre, Highway 61 South, PO Box 1900,
>> Thunder Bay ON, P7C 4Y4
>>
>> Head Councillor Cecilia Begg, is being held separately at Thunder Bay
>> District Jail:
>> Cecilia Begg,  C/O Thunder Bay District Jail, 285 McDougall St S,
>> Thunder Bay, ON P7A 2K6
>>
>> Sample Letter to Dalton McGuinty, Premer of Ontario
>>
>> E-mail to: dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
>> Cc: lyanz@maquilasolidarity.org
>>
>> Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
>> Legislative Building
>> Queen's Park
>> Toronto ON
>> M7A 1A1
>>
>> Dear Premier McGuinty;
>>
>> I am writing regarding the incarceration of Kitchenuhmaykoosib
>> Inninuwug (KI) First Nation Chief Donny Morris, Council members
>> Samuel McKay, Jack McKay, Darryl Sainnawap Cecilia Begg, and
>> community member Bruce Sakakeep.
>>
>> They have recently been convicted of civil contempt charges and
>> jailed for 6 months for peacefully opposing mineral exploration on
>> their traditional territory.
>>
>> I understand that Ontario continues to grant exploration permits to
>> mining companies without fulfilling its legal obligation to consult
>> with and accommodate Aboriginal peoples. It is disgraceful that these
>> six people are serving time for upholding their community's rights
>> while Ontario continues to flout the law.
>>
>> I ask that the Province change its antiquated Mining Act to ensure
>> real consultation and accommodation of aboriginal rights before
>> granting mineral leases. I also ask that the Ontario Government take
>> action to release the six KI First Nation prisoners of conscience
>> currently being punished for protecting their lands and community.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> [Your signature]
>>
>>
>>
>> ********************************************************
>> Maquila Solidarity Network / Ethical Trading Action Group
>> 606 Shaw Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6G 3L6
>> 416-532-8584 (phone) | 416-532-7688 (fax)
>> www.maquilasolidarity.org
>>