Six of the seven members of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation were sentenced yesterday to six months in jail for opposing unsanctioned development on their Traditional lands. (video)
KIFN has yet to make any formal statements about the ruling, but Deputy Grand Chief Glen Hare, representing the 42 member communities of the Anishinabek Nation, has spoke out in support of the Six.
“In one breath we hear Ontario talk about the importance of First Nations sharing in the wealth of the province’s resource revenues, and in the next breath they ignore Supreme Court of Canada rulings that say we need to be consulted by companies wanting to exploit our lands,” said Deputy Grand Chief Hare. “Meaningful consultation involves mutual respect, not telling First Nations where you’re going to drill for ore or clear-cut forests. That’s
not how good neighbours behave.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy has also suspended all bilateral talks with the Province of Ontario.
“The extreme positions of the Government of Ontario to support jailing First Nation leaders is an insult to the so-called ‘new relationship’ with our people…” adding he rejects today’s ruling and the Northern Table is suspended until NAN Chiefs-in-Assembly provide further direction. “Today’s decision has disrespected and dishonoured Aboriginal law and custom, seriously jeopardizing any relationship with our treaty partner Ontario. We saw it last month with Ardoch and today we see it with KI.”
Aswell, more than 30 organizations came out to demand Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty “live up to his rhetoric about protecting the environment and improving Ontario’s relationship with its native communities.”
At first glance it would seem McGuinty is trying to do that. For example, Ontario has since offered to pay KI’s $200,000 in legal fees (they went bankrupt in 2006 after Platinex sued them for $10 Billion) and they’ve also “secured numerous concessions from Platinex Inc., which has offered KI training, guaranteed jobs and a share in any mining revenue, plus restrictions on when and how any exploration takes place.”
However, Mcguinty is ignoring the elephant sitting on his desk. He continues to act like development is inevitable. It is not.
If there’s ever going to be a healthy relationship between the Provinces (under Canada) and Indigenous Nations, then he needs to learn that. Obviously, the Ontario Courts needs to learn it as well. While we’re at it, so does the Federal Government and the Canadian People.
No means No. And to force a Yes answer is nothing less than molestation.
That’s precisely what this predictable court ruling was (a constitutional molestation). So much for upholding the integrity of the law, eh Canada?
I am of European decent and live on in Maliseet territory. If Canada ever expects to live up to its own rhetoric about respecting cultures, our government will have to acknowledge the material basis of racism; that the genocide of this continent will continue as long as the rights of aboriginal people to self-determination for their people and land are not respected.
The wishes of a mining corporation should not supersede the rights of the people indigenous to the land, yet Canadian domestic and foreign policy continues to promote the wishes of mining corporations. To all First Nations defending your land, I am moved by your courage, conviction and persistence in the face of our oppressive government that seeks to force you into submission. I feel powerless to help as my letters to government are ignored and we all go about our daily lives while you are being targeted and jailed. I am deeply sorrowful that your rights are not respected. I will continue to inform people in my area of how our government and corporations continue the theft of your land and attempting to force you to adopt European-capitalist culture as has been the pattern for over 500 years.
GREED BEFORE HONOUR Shame on the bullies! I have a nice back yard. If someone came into it and tried to change it I would definitely protest with loud colourful language. Shame on the Ontario Government and other governments who allow Aboriginal communities to be bullied. What kind of people made those decisions? Why is the extractive money making behavior of a company that only cares about profit favoured over peaceful use and exchange between the land and the people? Why are all of our other cultures protected and not the Aborignal ones? When will commitments to diversity, human rights, and democracy for all be truly honoured? The Anishinabek and other Aboriginal Nations have resided in the area for more than 7000 years. The cultures are very ancient and rich. This is an important part of our collective culture as a Canadian nation. Why are we not protecting this? The wealth is not in a few heaps of metal clawed out of the sacred land. The wealth is in the People. Premier McGinty made a promise to improve relationships with Aboriginal people in Ontario. Being of Irish decent, you think he would know better than to support an outside force in taking over a peoples’ land and will. The trust of your people is worth more than a few fists of cash. If you make a promise you should keep it!