Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) have responded to the recent sentencing of Chief Donny Morris and 5 other members of the community. In no uncertain terms, they will continue to struggle for their land and rights. See the full Press Release below.

PRESS RELEASE

March 20, 2008

Kitchenuhmaykoosib, Ontario - We are saddened today that our leaders have been jailed for contempt and they’re there for what they strongly believe – to protect Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) Homelands!

As a result of our community assembly on March 18, 2008, the present Chief and Council notably, …

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 …

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (KIFN) Chief Donnie Morris and five other members of the community will soon find out if they, like Ardoch Algonquin spokesperson Robert Lovelace, will be fined and incarcerated for asserting their own rights—that is, for attempting to stop a molestation by walking away from Canada’s so-called consultation process and refusing to accept unsanctioned development on their land as “a given.”

According to a recent Press Release by KIFN, which you can find below, sentencing will take place on March 17 at the Superior Court of …

Last week, members and supporters of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake) Nation gathered at a Thunder Bay courthouse to witness the proceedings against Chief Donny Morris, councilor Sam McKay, and other community members after they were charged with being in contempt of court for “obstructing the consultation process” last October.

By the looks of things, the proceedings went about as good as we could have expected (though the deck sure does seem to be stacked against the People of Big Trout Lake)… KI Chief Donny Morris was …

After Friday’s court hearing that accepted mining and exploration company Platinex Inc’s motion for contempt against Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), Chief Donny Morris, councilor Sam McKay, and community member Mark Anderson announced they would gladly go to jail in defense of the land and their treaty rights.

“I’m prepared to go to jail for my belief in the land,” said KI Chief Donny Morris. “This is a land issue based on our sovereignty and I’m prepared to give myself up if the court decides I’ve disrespected the November ruling to …

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) is a small, remote, First Nation in Northern Ontario that was sued early last year by Platinex, a Toronto-based junior mining exploration company, for $10 Billion dollars. Platinex also sought out an injunction against KI so they could drill for platinum on their Traditional Territory without the community’s permission. In turn, KI submitted a counter-injunction…

In what was widely regarded a landmark decision, a few months later an Ontario Superior Court Judge ruled in favour of KI, ordering a moratorium on mining while the …

Published in: Legalbrief Today, Issue No: 1642

A remote northern Ontario Aboriginal community has won the first stage of a controversial legal battle that could have major repercussions for mining and resource extraction operations throughout the province, according to a report on the minesandcommunities site.

In May, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) launched a lawsuit to counter a $10bn case filed against them by an Ontario mineral exploration company, Platinex, that wants to exploit platinum deposits located within KI’s traditional territory. The landmark decision from Judge GP Smith of the Ontario Superior Court represents one of the most important victories empowering Aboriginal communities in …

By Kate Harries, www.theglobeandmail.com - A Toronto junior mining-exploration company has suffered a stunning setback in its legal battle with a remote Ontario native band.

Platinex Inc. is suing Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI, formerly Big Trout Lake First Nation) for $10-billion and sought to have band members prohibited from protesting at its drilling site.

Instead, Mr. Justice Patrick Smith of the Ontario Superior Court has found in favour of the band’s counter-injunction application and ordered Platinex not to work at the site for five months while the company and the provincial government hold talks with KI.

Judge Smith also wrote that mandating consultation by …

From the Manitoba Wildlands newsletter:
Conflicts continue to erupt in Ontario’s northern boreal region as companies hunt for platinum, palladium and diamonds in the absence of conservation planning.

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (formerly known as Big Trout Lake First Nation) is now being sued by Platinex Inc. for $10 billion.
Platinex is also seeking a legal injunction that would enable them to drill for platinum against the wishes of the community.

Diamond giant De Beers recently devastated the annual spring goose hunt of Muskrat Dam First Nation. Both communities have called for a halt to mining and forestry on their traditional lands but extractive industries …