Stop mining from threatening Canada's First Nations
- by: Wildlands League
- recipient: Dalton McGuinty, Ontario Premier
Canada's boreal forest and the First Nations' communities that call it home are being threatened by mining activity. Increasingly, extractive industries like Platinex Inc. and diamond giant De Beers are vying for access to the boreal forest. Development is proceeding at a rapid rate in northern Ontario without consideration for intact forests, watersheds or wildlife such as woodland caribou, and against the wishes of First Nations.
Ontario's boreal forests are home to at least 28 Aboriginal communities, many of whom maintain strong ties to the land. Recently, Chiefs and representatives from several First Nations, including Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug declared a moratorium on mining exploration and forestry on their traditional territories.
The response they got: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is now being sued by Platinex for $10 billion in damages!
This is despite the fact that in 2003, Ontario's Premier Dalton McGuinty promised to "institute meaningful, broad-scale land-use planning for Ontario's Northern Boreal Forest before any new major development . . . [that would] protect the ecological integrity of this natural treasure and help to provide a sustainable future for native people and northern communities."
He has not kept that promise, and as a result, mining and exploration companies are threatening First Nations identities as Aboriginal People and putting at-risk-species in further danger. The First Nations and this last intact forest ecosystem deserve better.
Take action! Urge Premier McGuinty to honor the First Nation moratorium call and fulfill his promise to protect the boreal forest!
Ontario's boreal forests are home to at least 28 Aboriginal communities, many of whom maintain strong ties to the land. Recently, Chiefs and representatives from several First Nations, including Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug declared a moratorium on mining exploration and forestry on their traditional territories.
The response they got: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is now being sued by Platinex for $10 billion in damages!
This is despite the fact that in 2003, Ontario's Premier Dalton McGuinty promised to "institute meaningful, broad-scale land-use planning for Ontario's Northern Boreal Forest before any new major development . . . [that would] protect the ecological integrity of this natural treasure and help to provide a sustainable future for native people and northern communities."
He has not kept that promise, and as a result, mining and exploration companies are threatening First Nations identities as Aboriginal People and putting at-risk-species in further danger. The First Nations and this last intact forest ecosystem deserve better.
Take action! Urge Premier McGuinty to honor the First Nation moratorium call and fulfill his promise to protect the boreal forest!
Dear Premier McGuinty,
I am very concerned about the mining activities in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug's area (formerly known as Big Trout Lake). Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, along with eight First Nations, have called for a moratorium on mining and forestry on their lands. The situation in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is especially troubling and requires your immediate attention. A Canadian exploration company, Platinex Inc., says it is determined to continue development of the property despite the moratorium call.
[your comment here]
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is very worried by Platinex's proposed drilling activities in the drainage basin of a sacred lake called Kitchenuhmaykoosib. John Cutfeet, the spokesperson for Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, says, "We live off that lake. We feed off that lake. We get our food from that lake. We get our drinking water from there. If we allow these activities, we will have basically poisoned our food and water supply. We must ensure that future generations have the same opportunities that we do today to eat, drink from that lake."
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug joined by Muskrat Dam, Sachigo, Bearskin Lake, Wapekeka, Deer Lake, Kingfisher, Wawakapewin and Wunnumin First Nations, called for a moratorium on mining and forestry. These communities' traditional territories are located within Ontario's northern boreal region, part of the largest intact wilderness area left in the world. Premier, you made a promise to institute meaningful land use planning before any major development in the northern boreal forest proceeds. By acting quickly now to enact comprehensive land use planning for the boreal forest, you can resolve the situation with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and prevent other conflicts from flaring up in the north. It is also just the right thing to do.
The provincial government has the opportunity to build a truly prosperous future for communities and nature in a stable business climate. The solution is conservation planning that identifies the needs of wildlife, sets aside a network of protected areas and identifies sustainable economic opportunities. Communities must also be consulted and accommodated.
I urge you to immediately honour the moratorium request of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and the eight First Nations in northern Ontario. Then, please keep your promise to implement meaningful land-use planning in this globally significant region before any further development proceeds. Premier, you must lead by example. I look forward to hearing what steps you will be taking to address the concerns I have raised.
Sincerely,
[your name]
[your address]
Sign PetitionSign PetitionI am very concerned about the mining activities in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug's area (formerly known as Big Trout Lake). Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, along with eight First Nations, have called for a moratorium on mining and forestry on their lands. The situation in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is especially troubling and requires your immediate attention. A Canadian exploration company, Platinex Inc., says it is determined to continue development of the property despite the moratorium call.
[your comment here]
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is very worried by Platinex's proposed drilling activities in the drainage basin of a sacred lake called Kitchenuhmaykoosib. John Cutfeet, the spokesperson for Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, says, "We live off that lake. We feed off that lake. We get our food from that lake. We get our drinking water from there. If we allow these activities, we will have basically poisoned our food and water supply. We must ensure that future generations have the same opportunities that we do today to eat, drink from that lake."
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug joined by Muskrat Dam, Sachigo, Bearskin Lake, Wapekeka, Deer Lake, Kingfisher, Wawakapewin and Wunnumin First Nations, called for a moratorium on mining and forestry. These communities' traditional territories are located within Ontario's northern boreal region, part of the largest intact wilderness area left in the world. Premier, you made a promise to institute meaningful land use planning before any major development in the northern boreal forest proceeds. By acting quickly now to enact comprehensive land use planning for the boreal forest, you can resolve the situation with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and prevent other conflicts from flaring up in the north. It is also just the right thing to do.
The provincial government has the opportunity to build a truly prosperous future for communities and nature in a stable business climate. The solution is conservation planning that identifies the needs of wildlife, sets aside a network of protected areas and identifies sustainable economic opportunities. Communities must also be consulted and accommodated.
I urge you to immediately honour the moratorium request of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and the eight First Nations in northern Ontario. Then, please keep your promise to implement meaningful land-use planning in this globally significant region before any further development proceeds. Premier, you must lead by example. I look forward to hearing what steps you will be taking to address the concerns I have raised.
Sincerely,
[your name]
[your address]
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