NEW: See letter from KI to Wildlands League.
The Great Canadian Tour featuring the community of KI:
Watch the August 10, 2008 episode of CPAC's The Great Canadian Tour, featuring Wildlands League's Anna Baggio, during CPAC's July visit to Big Trout Lake and KI.
27 May 2008 - Media coverage following Day One of rally at Queen's Park:
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First Nations vs Mining Act, Toronto Star editorial, Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
Inaction on native issues not helping government or jailed protester, Globe and Mail article by Murray Campbell, Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
Aboriginal protesters kick off weeklong protest at Ont. legislature, Canadian Press story by Tobi Cohen, appearing in 76 media outlets across the country. |
30 April 2008 - More staking in the Boreal Forest as conflict reigns. Read the full release.
29 April 2008 - Read the Premier's response to letter by high profile Canadians in support of KI and Ardoch Algonquins.
24 April 2008 - See the YouTube video from the April 9th rally to support Bob Lovelace and the KI Six:
22 April 2008 - Chorus of celebrities call for release of Bob Lovelace and the KI Six. Read the full release. Read the letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty.
12 April 2008 - Read Murray Campbell's artcile from the Globe and Mail, "Six jailed leaders deserve better in native land dispute".
9 April 2008 - Rally to Support of Bob Lovelace and the KI 6. Read the full release.
17 March 2008 - Groups Call For Comprehensive Reform of Ontario's Outdated Mining Laws. Read the full release. Read the Open Letter to Premier McGuinty.
28 Feburary 2008 - Read Anna Baggio's Letter to the Editor, appearing in the February 28, 2008 edition of the Toronto Star.
28 February 2008 - Strange New Twist in Legal Battle Over Mining on First Nations' Land. Read the full release.
25 January 2008 - Aboriginal Leaders Face Jail Time in Spreading Disputes over First Nations Rights and Mining Claims
Thunder Bay, ON - Spreading disputes between First Nations and mining companies may lead to jail time for Aboriginal leaders in northern Ontario pending the outcome of an Ontario Superior Court of Justice appearance today.
Read the full release here.
Read Anna's blog and see attached photos.
Read Wawatay News
2 January 2008 - In December, Justice Smith found KI members in contempt of court. Chief Donnie Morris said, "I'm prepared to go to jail for my belief in my land," as reported in the December 13 issue of Wawatay News. Justice Smith will hand down the sentencing on January 25, 2008.
CPAWS Wildlands League calls for an immediate halt to staking and urges Ontario to only permit socially and ecologically responsible companies to operate in the Boreal Forest but only after comprehensive land use planning has been completed and outstanding land claims resolved.
Send a letter to MNR Minister Donna Cansfield and the Ontario government now.
Stay tuned for more updates on the KI situation. As well you can visit KI's website.
27 November 2007 - The people of KI are defending its lands against encroachment. A mineral company is attempting to force the community to accept its plans to drill. Platinex seeks a date for contempt charges against the community. Read company’s motion here.
These actions may lead to the people of KI being jailed and each fined approximately $5000.
9 November 2007- Wildlands League supports KI as they continue their struggle against unwanted mineral exploration on their lands located approximately 600 km north of Thunder Bay. KI has been denied access to justice and had to recently formally withdraw from court proceedings.
The Ontario government continues to foster conflict and strife in the Boreal Forest by propping up and defending an antiquated mining regime. The Ontario government also continues to side with Platinex in this dispute and is enabling an industry player to bully a community struggling to protect its homelands.
Read KI's press release from November 6, 2007.
The current policy regime means gems and minerals trump communities and nature. It's time for a new approach. It's time for a halt to staking in the Boreal Forest and it's time for 'rules for development' and land use planning as the Liberals promised in their election platform.
1 May 2007 - Justice Smith decided to halt the injunction and allow Platinex onto the land after it had completed a consultation protocol with the community. The decision, however, rejects business-as-usual development. Justice Smith also made it clear he reserves the right to stop the drilling project at any time. This rejection of the status quo means the case for comprehensive land-use planning before development is stronger than ever. Justice Smith writes, "I am not convinced that Platinex should be given a carte blanche to proceed with its entire exploration drilling project at this time."
Justin Duncan of Sierra Legal Defence adds, "while Ontario may have won the battle, they may have lost the war on free entry" as the decision represents a serious blow to the status quo.
As Minister Ramsay said in Murray Campbell's column in the Globe and Mail (May 8, 2007), "The larger issue in regard to the relationship between the Mining Act with Aboriginal rights has yet to be determined."
Read the decision here (pdf file, 3 MB).
KI Chief seeks public assistance in fight against mining regime (see letter from May 3, 2007 Wawatay News, pdf file).
29 January 2007 - Today Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Nishnawbe Aski Nation were outraged at Government of Ontario's attack on Aboriginal and treaty rights during Friday's court proceeding in the case of KI vs. Platinex. See their press release.
10 January 2007 - Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and mineral exploration company, Platinex Inc., were back in court this week. The judge extended the injunction and moratorium on drilling and further exploration after the parties failed to reach an agreement. Also, the Ontario government was not prepared to agree to the rules of engagement for consultation as proposed by Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. The Ontario government is also seeking intervenor status in order to participate in the injunction proceedings.
See Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal article, Drilling Still on Hold and CBC's Aboriginals say Ontario must pay for consultations to end mining dispute
June 2006 - Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) has won the first stage of a controversial legal battle that could have major repercussions for mining and resource extraction operations throughout Ontario. In May 2006, KI had launched a lawsuit to counter a $10 billion lawsuit filed against them by an Ontario mineral exploration company, Platinex Inc, that wants to exploit platinum deposits located within KI's traditional territory.
The landmark decision from Justice G.P. Smith of the Ontario Superior Court represents one of the most important victories empowering Aboriginal communities in Ontario's judicial history. With the decision the Court granted KI an injunction, thereby preventing the company from continuing to work within KI's traditional territory.
The decision immediately forces the parties back to the table to engage in a proper and meaningful consultation process. The parties are to appear before Justice Smith in five months time to report on their progress.
Download the full court decision. (pdf file, 1.39 MB)
Press Releases:
Media:
The Globe & Mail, 1 August 2006: Judge Rules for Native Band
The Ottawa Citizen, 1 August 2006: Natives Must Have a Say
The Sudbury Star, 2 August 2006: Natives Win a Major Decision
NOW Magazine: Roar in the Boreal
More media...
CPAWS Wildlands League has called for a moratorium in all of northern Ontario's intact Boreal forest region until a conservation-based land-use planning process is put in place by the provincial government.
Send a letter in support of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug to the Premier urging him to honour the moratorium call and fulfill his election commitment to protect the Boreal Forest.