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February 20, 2009

Mohawk Nation News update

Global Nuclear Genocide of Indigenous - government liquidation strategy? It won't work!


MNN. Feb. 19, 2009. A sickening picture is shaping up. The evidence continues to mount like a smelly compost heap, except it has no organic value and it’s a serious threat to the generations to come. Who doesn’t know that radiation is deadly? Government and the nuclear industry keep lying to us! They deny the grisly effects such as cancer, birth defects and many environmental illnesses caused by radioactive toxins in our air, land and water.


The nuclear industry seized on the “peak oil” and “global warming” crisis which they created and turned it to their advantage. They call nuclear a “green”, “clean”, “renewable” resource because they can reuse the deadly waste to make nuclear weapons. They lump it under with wind and solar. The theme of the Canadian Nuclear Association CNA convention and trade show from February 25 to 27 at the Westin in Ottawa is “the reality of renaissance”. [Is that crazy or what?] Yes, they rely on our ignorance and naivety. Their philosophy is, “There’s a sucker born every minute” and let’s melt them down!


These transnational corporate psychopaths are anti-life. They want to build dozens of nuclear reactors all over the world in Indigenous communities along and dump the nuclear waste for us to “manage”!! We live in remote areas far from any place they would want to even visit. If the radiation doesn’t kill us, they can make nuclear weapons to finish us off. We are in the way for their attempted reckless pillage and plunder of Mother Earth.


These multinational thugs are fomenting war in the volatile tribal areas between India and Pakistan. Both countries are already armed with nuclear weapons. To make money and depopulate Asia both sides are being armed by the same interests. Canada is one.


India doesn’t produce uranium. They lease it from Russia. The highly radioactive and toxic spent fuel is sent back to Russia. If Canada sells more CANDU reactors to India, they want to supply the uranium fuel and then bring back the nuclear waste to make nuclear weapons. (See endnotes for profiteers).


Meanwhile, Canada helps set up private organizations as government fronts like CNA (Canadian Nuclear Association), NWMO (Nuclear Waste Management Organization) and CAP (Congress of Aboriginal People) and OMAA (Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association). The latter two are so-called “aboriginal” organizations. NWMO and CNA are funding the Assembly of First Nations, another government set up, and CAP to talk us into managing and storing nuclear fuel waste on our territories. Meetings have gone on for years to get Elders and “leaders” on side. Canada has even sent in Mother Joan Holmes to turn non-natives into “Indians” who can then sign away our inherent rights. Nuclear salesmen are courting “Aboriginal partners” to sign away our birthright and existence.

So-called 34-year old “aboriginal”, Patrick “Fabio-Wannabe” Brazeau, was recently appointed Senator by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen “Ford-Modelling-Agent” Harper. What was this all about? Brazeau’s rap sheet looks like the antithesis of anything anyone would want in the Senate. He was rewarded for fronting the phony CAP to try to destroy Indigenous nations and sovereignty.

CAP has arrangements with NRC (Natural Resources Canada) and NWMO to consider nuclear waste management on or near our communities. Brazeau proposed, “... the 633 native communities in Canada be reduced to between 60 and 80. The 10 Algonquin reserves in Quebec and Ontario, for example, would become one. Same for the Cree. The Mohawk. And so on”. The guy didn’t consult any of us or visit any of our communities. Now, if he has any sense, he’d be afraid to come. He wants to redirect the flow of nearly $10 billion in federal funding for “aboriginal” programs and services in Canada. He thinks we wont need it because we are going to liquidated. So he wants the money to go to the many “aboriginal” that he and Mother Jones have created.

NWMO wants to store nuclear waste in Indigenous communities in the Canadian Shield. Sites in NAN (Nishnaabe Aski Nation) in northern Ontario appear to be the most likely. Ben Cheechoo and other Indigenous started out defying the government and defending our people, culture and sovereignty. They were gradually worn down to accept this senseless destructive agenda that threatens all of the future generations on the whole earth. The FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council of Germany) was instrumental in Cheechoo’s conversion through agents like Russell Diabo and David Nahwehgabow. FSC is a private UN backed organization that is designed to issue permits allowing multinational companies to cut down old growth forests on Indigenous lands worldwide. It’s completely illegal!

A telling example of these “courtships” with the Indigenous is the recent attempted seduction of the Navaho. Areva, the French nuclear power company, took the council on a recent trip to Paris. Areva “owns” uranium mines in northern Saskatchewan. They want the Navaho to put a nuclear reactor and to do more uranium mining in their territory in the U.S. southwest.


The Navaho know about the devastation of uranium tailings. Most want nothing to do with nuclear development. The same is true of the Ojibwe, Cree and Metis who have been targeted in northern Canada. Nishnaabe are fully aware of and suffering from the ongoing poisoning at Blind River and the tons of nuclear waste at Elliot Lake.


Nuclear promoters like AECL (Atomic Energy Canada Ltd) and CNSC (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) will coo soothingly, in their brushed suits, carefully coiffed hair [if they have any] and manicured hands, “There’s no risk”. (See endnotes) They lie while people are slowly dying horrible deaths in communities like Chalk River and Port Hope near nuclear facilities.


How do we stop this madness? We all need the facts about these dirty deals and sinister schemes. We have to closely watch and loudly object to those people the government sets up to “represent” us.


We all have to drastically cut back on our materialistic lifestyle. Every household could be generating enough clean energy to power their own grid. We Indigenous understand this basic and practical way of taking only what we need and leaving little or no footprint.


The elders are concerned about the future based on our traditional knowledge. The youth are concerned with living with the legacy of nuclear waste disposal. Women are concerned with protecting the clean and safe water for all people and the environment as this is our traditional role. [See notes and links below].


Iakoha’ko:wa & MNN Staff Mohawk Nation News www.mohawknationnews.com kittoh@storm.ca katenies20@yahoo.com kahentinetha2@yahoo.com Note: Your financial help is needed and appreciated. Please send your donations to PayPal at www.mohawknationnews.com, or by check or money order to “MNN Mohawk Nation News”, Box 991, Kahnawake [Quebec, Canada] J0L 1B0. Nia:wen thank you very much. Go to MNN “Canada” category for more stories; New MNN Books Available now! Purchase t-shirts, mugs and more at our CafePressStore http://www.cafepress.com/mohawknews; Subscribe to MNN for breaking news updates http://.mohawknationnews.com/news/subscription.php; Sign Women Title Holders petition! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Iroquois


Notes, Sources and Contacts
In “Eaglefeather News” of Saskatchewan www.brucepower.com. Very misleading article. With all the sun, wind and low population, why would anyone want a nuclear reactor there?

Re CNSC and AECL: MNN spoke with Marc Drolet. Why is it the leaking NRU reactor still going? Marc passed the buck to AECL. CNSC told Parliamentarians on Feb 5 that there was no risk. He called it "concentration". The levels permitted in Canada is 100 times that allowed in Europe. He disagreed. We emailed him the link for Ace Hoffman's book. Later he email: "I suggest you formulate more precise questions to receive comments from our scientists. You mention tritium; and its long-term impact on infants and export-control issues related to some states that may want to use nuclear technology to less than peaceful ends. He said, “Our experts provide answers in plain English”. Marc Drolet, Public Affairs and Media Relations, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Ottawa, Canada K1P 5S9, 613-947-0442, Blackberry 613-808-3134, Fax 613-992-2915


Sean Cotnam of AECL said: the reactor was running today and had been shut down last week for regular maintenance. When would it be shut down permanently? "It won't be shut down for a long time, ma'am". He said the information from the Uof Toronto professor saying that Canada's tritium level is 100 times that of Europe was incorrect. He said it is only 70 times that of Europe and 10 times that of the US!!! He is completely safe living on the Ottawa River and was not worried about his young children.


India and Pakistan each have about 30 nuclear warheads and have reached the brink of nuclear war before. India is buying plenty of military hardware. Pakistan is the #1 top recipient of US military aid in the world, receiving about $3.6 billion [New American Century] since 2006. They also receive aid from the World Bank to build dams and other infrastructure.
<http://www.newamerica.net/publications/policy/u_s_weapons_war_2008_0>
US Predator UAV's armed with Hellfire missiles have killed dozens of people in cross border forays into Pakistan from Afghanistan.


Profiteers in the global nuclear industry include: WorleyParsons Canada Ltd. Nuclear Energy, (905) 940-4770 8133 Warden Avenue, Markham, ON L8G 1B3 http://www.worleyparsons.com/GlobalPresence/Pages/default.aspx
Offices worldwide, including 4 in China and one in Canada. 28,000 employees in engineering and construction. Biggest in China. Ready to build "nuclear parks" deep in the mire of Athabasca oil sands. Their profits are up 50% over last year. OTHER SUCKS: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL),Organization of CANDU Industries, CAMECO Corporation, SNC Lavalin Nuclear, Bechtel, Canada China Power Inc., Areva of France, Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, Power Workers Union, GE-Hitachi, Hitachi, Comstock, Fox Constructors, Wardrop, The Society, AMEC, L-3Com, RCM Technologies, B&W, Black & McDonald, Power Train, Nuvia, NWMO, Hydro-Quebec, HSL, Aecon, Amidyne, CUSW, Industrial AUdit, McMaster University, UOIT (University of Ontario Industry Technology), IML, BPR, SWI.
* Canadian Nuclear Association Conference and Trade Show, February 25 -27, Westin Hotel, Ottawa.
http://www.cna.ca/english/index.asp Canadian Nuclear Association, 130 Albert Street, Suite 1610 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4, 613-237-4262 Fax: 613-237-0989
Contacts: http://www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/com/concon/concon-eng.php
Lisa Raitt, NR Min; MP Halton, (613) 996-2007 MINO/MINO Lisa.Raitt@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca
(613) 996-7046 Fax: (613) 992-0851 EMail: Raitt.L@parl.gc.ca DM Deputy Minister Doyle, Cassie J. since June, 2006; (613) 992-3280 DMO/DMO CassieJ.Doyle@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca [also on board of directors at AECL]
Serge Dupont, Associate Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada (613) 996-9753 DMO/DMO Serge.Dupont@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca
Min. Health Leona Aglukkaq Conservative Constituency: Nunavut, Telephone: (613) 992-2848 Fax: (613) 996-9764, Aglukkaq.L@parl.gc.ca www.leonaaglukkaq.ca/EN/5215/
HEALTH [WHAT A CONTRADICTION]! Morris Rosenberg, Deputy Minister Health since December 2004. Deputy Minister Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada from July 1998 to December 2004. 1993 to 1996 Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Economic and Regional Development Policy, Privy Council Office. Deputy Minister's Office - Health Canada, Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney's Pasture, Postal Locator: 0906C, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada > K1A 0K9 Fax: (613) 952-1154 dm_sm@hc-sc.gc.ca
CRITICS OF AECL: Geoff Regan ReganG@parl.gc.ca, (613) 996-3085 Fax: (613) 996-6988,
John Gerretsen MPP Minister of the Environment <jgerretsen.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org>,
George Smitherman MPP Energy & Infr. <gsmitherman.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org>
CNSC Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, CNSC Chalk River Laboratories Site, Building 432 Chalk River, ON K0J 1J0, Telephone: 613-584-7743 Fax: 613-584-9077, interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca; EA@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca Marc Drolet, Public relations, 613 947-0442 <info@cnsc-ccsn.bc.ca>
AECL Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario Canada K0J 1J0, Phone: (613) 584-3311, Bill Pilkington, VP, talks to media Ext.#44429 (Sarah), Hugh MacDiarmid, Pres & CEO, Ext.#37330 (Helene)
Glenna Carr, Chair Board of Directors Ext.#37506 (Kimberly), Sean Cotnam, Public relations direct line: 613 584-8291
http://www.aecl.ca/Contact/Make_a_request_for_information.htm
http://www.aecl.ca/site3.aspx Public Requests for Information Toll free: 1-866-513-AECL (2325)
Media Enquiries Toll free: 1-866-886-2325 Community Enquiries Toll free: 1-800-364-6989
Some Canadian politicians including senators: NOTE: No email or photo is available for "Senator Brazeau". 613-947-4231 Fax: 613-947-4228, He is current Member of the following Senate committee(s): Aboriginal Peoples, Human Rights.
http://www.nan.on.ca/article/nan-staff-163.asp
NAN. sbeardy@nan.on.ca, twaboose@nan.on.ca, roseanne@nan.on.ca, afiddler@nan.on.ca, dfletcher@nan.on.ca, dkiecman@nan.on.ca, jshewaybick@nan.on.ca, fmckenzie@nan.on.ca, bnothing@nan.on.ca, gsmith@nan.on.ca, jhunter@nan.on.ca, acrozier@nan.on.ca, mheintzman@nan.on.ca, jnelson@nan.on.ca, ibeardy@nan.on.ca, pdesmoul@nan.on.ca, jforneri@nan.on.ca, pfayrick@nan.on.ca, jthompson@nan.on.ca, eachneep@nan.on.ca, nan@nan.on.ca, caudet@nan.on.ca, twilson@nan.on.ca, rmetlin@nan.on.ca, bmaloney@nan.on.ca, mgoodchild@nan.on.ca, wcaruk@nan.on.ca, lwabasse@nan.on.ca, sperrault@nan.on.ca, sbarkman@nan.on.ca, sbrown@nan.on.ca, cfox@nan.on.ca, cmackay@nan.on.ca, sachneep@nan.on.ca, bmainville@nan.on.ca, klcheechoo@nan.on.ca, amurphy@nan.on.ca, wtrylins@nan.on.ca, jcheechoo@nan.on.ca, gmedicin@nan.on.ca, kadcock@nan.on.ca, lbaxter@nan.on.ca, dsimon@nan.on.ca, csimard@nan.on.ca, ehanson@nan.on.ca, jalto@nan.on.ca, bwheesk@nan.on.ca, rmamakwa@nan.on.ca, dfrenett@nan.on.ca, blouttit@nan.on.ca, lhunter@nan.on.ca, jwheesk@nan.on.ca, bencheechoo@nan.on.ca, msault@nan.on.ca, ljeffries@nan.on.ca, staylor@nan.on.ca, lbiggeorge@nan.on.ca,

OTTAWA DOUCHE BAGS: Reid.S@parl.gc.ca, Harper.S@parl.gc.ca, Nicholson.R@parl.gc.ca, Aglukkaq.L@parl.gc.ca, Day.S@parl.gc.ca,VanLoan.P@parl.gc.ca, McCallum.J@parl.gc.ca, ReganG@parl.gc.ca, Raitt.L@parl.gc.ca, Easter.W@parl.gc.ca, Szabo.P@parl.gc.ca, Baird.J@parl.gc.ca, Clement.T@parl.gc.ca, leader@greenparty.ca, donna.dillman@greenparty.ca, Cannon.L@parl.gc.ca, Sorenson.K@parl.gc.ca, Dewar.P@parl.gc.ca, FAAE@parl.gc.ca, Patry.B@parl.gc.ca, ThibaLo@parl.gc.ca, ChongM@parl.gc.ca, TrostB@parl.gc.ca, BigraB@parl.gc.ca, CardiS@parl.gc.ca, LafraM@parl.gc.ca, CulleN@parl.gc.ca, GallaC@parl.gc.ca, HawnL@parl.gc.ca, McTeaD@parl.gc.ca, AlghaO@parl.gc.ca, AnderDa@parl.gc.ca, BevinD@parl.gc.ca, DebelC@parl.gc.ca, OuellCh@parl.gc.ca, CrowdJ@parl.gc.ca, ChowO@parl.gc.ca, LunnG@parl.gc.ca, BerniM@parl.gc.ca, StrahC@parl.gc.ca, MilliP@parl.gc.ca, Hill.J@parl.gc.ca, MacKay.P@parl.gc.ca, Kramp.D@parl.gc.ca, Brown.G@parl.gc.ca, DelMastro.D@parl.gc.ca, Dewar.P@parl.gc.ca, Coderre.D@parl.gc.ca, DionS@parl.gc.ca, Comartin.J@parl.gc.ca, Oda.B@parl.gc.ca, OConnor.G@parl.gc.ca, Atamaa1@parl.gc.ca, blackd@parl.gc.ca,Black.D@parl.gc.ca, Ambrose.R@parl.gc.ca, Toews.V@parl.gc.ca, Blackburn.J@parl.gc.ca, Paradis.C@parl.gc.ca, Moore.J@parl.gc.ca, Mulcair.T@parl.gc.ca, Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca, Barbot.V@parl.gc.ca, Layton.J@parl.gc.ca, BlackJ@parl.gc.ca,

dmcquinty.mpp@liberal.ola.org, john.bennett@greenparty.ca, randy@ruralrevolution.com, info@randyhillier.com, holland.m@parl.gc.ca, pm@pm.gc.ca, ottawa@chuckstrahl.com, john.yakabuskico@pc.ola.org, jim.wilsonco@pc.ola.org, tim.hudakco@pc.ola.org, hhampton-qp@ndp.on.ca, pkormos-qp@ndp.on.ca, gphillips.mpp@liberal.ola.org, dramsay.mpp@liberal.ola.org, gilles@gillesbisson.com, mbryant.mpp@liberal.ola.org, leader@greenparty.ca, info@greenparty.ca, rlm@xplornet.com, lorraine.rekmans@greenparty.ca, jwarnock@ontarioeast.net, doherty@kos.net, hhampton-qp@ndp.on.ca, norm.sterlingco@pc.ola.org, president@lisamacleod.ca, ahorwath-qp@ndp.on.ca, joyce.savoline@pc.ola.org, dzimmer.mpp@liberal.ola.org, tabunsp-qp@ndp.on.ca, laurie.scott@pc.ola.org, robert.runcimanco@pc.ola.org, brad.duguid@liberal.ola.org, rbartolucci.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org, toby.barrett@pc.ola.org, donna.cansfield@liberal.ola.org, michael.gravelle@liberal.ola.org, dave.levac@liberal.ola.org, garfield.dunlop@pc.ola.org, gilles.bisson@ndp.ola.org, jeff.leal@liberal.ola.org, brad.duguid@liberal.ola.org; norm.miller@pc.ola.org; peter.kormos@ndp.ola.org; Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca, brianmitchell@conservative.ca, brucemclaughlin@conservative.ca, ceciltaylor@conservative.ca, DonPlett@conservative.ca, gilleslavoie@conservative.ca, gordelliott@conservative.ca, jeanleblanc@conservative.ca, karajohnson@conservative.ca, liamobrien@conservative.ca, loisbrown@conservative.ca, mennofroese@conservative.ca, michaelmacdonald@conservative.ca, rayleitch@conservative.ca, richardciano@conservative.ca, sammagnus@conservative.ca, stephanedesilets@conservative.ca, susanmcarthur@conservative.ca, victormarciano@conservative.ca, ericw@kingstongreens.ca, morganw@kingstongreens.ca, Julian.P@parl.gc.ca, GreenLight1@kingstongreens.ca, andrer@sen.parl.gc.ca, bakerg@sen.parl.gc.ca, carsts@sen.parl.gc.ca, rattel@sen.parl.gc.ca, cochre@sen.parl.gc.ca, zimmer@sen.parl.gc.ca, tkachd@sen.parl.gc.ca, smithd@sen.parl.gc.ca, kfl@sen.parl.gc.ca, poulim@sen.parl.gc.ca, lachah@sen.parl.gc.ca, munsoj@sen.parl.gc.ca, mahovf@sen.parl.gc.ca; CassieJ.Doyle@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca; Lisa.Raitt@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca; Serge.Dupont@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca; Raitt.L@parl.gc.ca; Aglukkaq.L@parl.gc.ca; dm_sm@hc-sc.gc.ca

May 27, 2008

How I spent Memorial Day ..

The government will NOT allow me to upload the poster for today's Queen Park event.

They've turned off my photo button on blogger entirely after repeated attempts to upload the poster. Isn't that INTERESTING ?? Partly it's the time of day, as the information warfare people are usually busy after midnight, although I've noticed that their alot more militant in recent days at all times of the day or night.

Today, the sun was magnificent and warm. The spirit was high. The music was passionate and the dancers stretched their limbs in the rhythm of the Universe. HOPE and vitality reached into the Ontario sky.


Thomas King was the master of ceremonies and I spoke with him. We spoke of Pat Amo and Paul Wellstone. We spoke of Leonard Peltier. I explained I am not comfortable being in Canada and need a true mentor !

I spoke to several Toronto students and asked them to come and help me straighten out this blog. I was thrilled when one student leader handed me a four directions button that said "Students for Justice". All students there expressed a similar perspective: a WAR CRIMES tribunal is inevitable and CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY must be stopped. (well, of course!) Our vision is stronger than the power that be's bottom line.

The true spirit of Kanata was there. Toronto truly hailed it's true name - "The meeting place". I think I have come home at last. I no longer felt "invisible".

Leaders were missed, leaders who languish in jail and face 12-sentences for DOING THE RIGHT THING.

Surprisingly, I only saw one person I know there, but over the course of the week I expect to meet some "old faces" I know ..

We can never give up. We will stand firm in our resolve.

I expect to find myself on the concourse of the Toronto Star on Friday. Even my interpol computer entry as a "jet set drug dealer" can't deter me anymore ! I have nothing to lose by being who I am and I support my brothers and sisters.

Ontario is now on the front line in ending globalization and fighting colonialism. The powers that be know that are frightened out of their wits as we build our ranks.

I go to light smudge now, praying for ALL peoples and thanking Creator that I have come this far.

Virginia

Aboriginal protesters kick off weeklong protest at Ont. legislature


TORONTO - The property rights of all Ontario residents are being threatened by archaic mining laws that allow companies to stake land anywhere they like, aboriginal protesters said Monday before a swelling crowd that gathered on a the front lawn of the provincial legislature to demand change.

And if the province doesn't act now to change the Mining Act, politicians can expect another Ipperwash, an emotional Darryl Sainnawap, one of six Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation members who were jailed over a dispute with a mining exploration company said in reference to the infamous 1995 aboriginal standoff that ended in the fatal shooting of protester Dudley George by police.

Among the guests of honour at the multi-day sit-in that's expected to culminate with Thursday's national aboriginal Day of Action, Sainnawap thanked the crowd for supporting him while he was in jail and called on the government to negotiate.

"I personally want to call on the provincial government to come to the table and see if we can find a resolution,"
he said before the mass of several hundred, which included aboriginal groups from across the province and beyond as well as labour groups and environmentalists.

"But I would also like to say our land comes first... Ontario says get on board, get out of the way, or go to jail. We cannot compromise our children's future."

Sainnawap, along with KI Chief Donny Morris, deputy chief Jack McKay and members Sam McKay, Cecilia Begg and Bruce Sakakeep, were all released from jail temporarily on Friday after agreeing to abide by an injunction that prohibits them from interfering with the operations of Platinex Inc., a mining company that's seeking to drill on KI land about 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont.

The decision was made only after Platinex promised not to bring an exploration crew onto the disputed land before 9 a.m. Thursday.

The group dubbed the KI 6 is due back in court Wednesday where they are appealing their six-month sentence for contempt of court. The Ontario Appeals Court could decide they've served enough time and release them or send them back to jail to serve out the remainder of their sentence.

The brief reprieve, however, gave them the opportunity to join fellow KI members as well as colleagues from Ardoch Algonquin First Nations in eastern Ontario and Grassy Narrows First Nation near Kenora, Ont. All three groups organized the event, originally aimed in part at calling for their release.

Bob Lovelace of Ardoch Algonquin First Nation still remains in jail in solitary confinement on a hunger strike for a similar breach involving a uranium exploration company.

The group called for his release and also played a recording he made from jail to share with the crowd.

In it, Lovelace called for an end to "colonialism" and compared the situation of Canada's aboriginals to that of organized labour and apartheid South Africa.

"Our time is now and I say that any political party or government in Canada that defends and perpetuates colonialism is not fit to govern," he said to much applause.

Earlier in the day, Morris said he was anticipating a peaceful event, though he suggested organizers were getting some blow back from authorities.

Morris said it was curious that security guards were giving them a hard time about using tent pegs on the lawn of the legislature, yet mining companies could stake their land any time they like.

"They've been throwing hurdles in our way from what I gather. Trying to discourage us from doing this," he said, adding he's "directed the membership to hold back."

"I'm not trying to encourage violence or foul language... I like the way we're travelling right now on the road. Peaceful, trying to communicate, putting out press releases, using the Internet. That's how I want to work."

Noting Ontario came to his community in 1929 to sign a treaty, Morris said KI ought to be involved in the revamping of the Mining Act and suggested there's been no such consultation as of yet.

He also encouraged non-aboriginals to get involved as it's an issue that comes down to property rights and the environment which effect everybody.

"If you have private property, a cottage on a lake, you are in the same boat as us," he said. "You don't own the land."

Toting flags and placards, the protesters erected three teepees on the lawn and are expected to camp out overnight and spend the coming days holding traditional aboriginal ceremonies as well as workshops. Guest speakers are also expected throughout the week.

Premier Dalton McGuinty reaffirmed earlier in the day that the province is committed to changing the Mining Act, but that it will take time.

He said current laws are very much tied into the economy but he nonetheless recognizes the government must also take into account aboriginal and environmental concerns.

"I think it falls on my generation of leadership to do something about this because I don't think what we have in place is... in keeping with our standards, our values and our aspirations," he said, adding changing it will have a "ripple effect" on jobs.

"We can't just dismiss that."


May 17, 2008

ACTIVISM: Some Ontario First Nations updates

“Protecting Our Mother”

Toronto

May 26 2008

I called Robert Lovelace's lawyer today. I also am going to write him and Paula letters over the weekend.

[I am still scared to go to the demos .. although one I was just LATE.]

Veeger

Algonquin Political Prisoner Begins Hunger Strike

This just in:

Ardoch Algonquin First Nation
May 15, 2008 - For Immediate Release

Jailed Algonquin Leader Begins Hunger Strike
Second Algonquin Chief Going to Jail - McGuinty Government Does Nothing

On February 15, 2008 Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (AAFN) Spokesperson Robert Lovelace was sentenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Kingston to 6 months in maximum security, plus crippling fines, for peacefully protesting uranium mining in the Ardoch homeland. Chief Paula Sherman was fined $15,000 and given until today to pay the fine, failing which she will be jailed.

On March 17, a Superior Court judge in Thunder Bay sentenced six leaders of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) to six months after they were found in contempt of court in dispute which is virtually identical to that of the Ardoch Algonquins.

The jailing of respected, law-abiding community leaders has had a devastating impact on our communities, particularly on the families of those incarcerated. The indifference shown by the McGuinty government towards the rights of First Nation communities and the imposition of long jail terms and crippling fines in the name of "the rule of law" has further eroded respect for both the legal system and the government of Ontario in the eyes of First Nations people in this province.

The cases of the KI Six and Robert Lovelace are strikingly similar. In both cases Ontario gave approvals to mining companies to conduct aggressive mineral exploration on land claimed by First Nations as their own. In both cases this approval was given without any consultation with affected communities, forcing the First Nations to take action to end the illegal exploration when the government refused to act. In both cases the mining company sought and obtained court injunctions to end the peaceful protests of the First Nations, while lawyers representing Ontario supported the mining industry's legal manoeuvres at every stage.

For the first month of Bob Lovelace's incarceration, the government of Ontario said nothing, remaining indifferent to this travesty. Since the jailing of the KI Six, and public outcry which followed, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael Bryant, has told the media that he has "bent over backwards" to try to resolve the disputes which led to the incarceration of seven First Nations leaders from our two communities. He also claims that he wishes to see the incarcerated communities leaders freed from jail.

We want to set the record straight.

In fact, there has been no response from Minister Bryant to any of our proposals for peacefully resolving the dispute. Minister Bryant's staff also has not responded to several calls and emails seeking a response to our proposals. To put it bluntly, Michael Bryant is a liar.

Bob Lovelace is now entering his fourth month in jail while the KI Six are about to begin their third month of incarceration. They are prisoners of conscience, jailed by the government of Ontario to send a message that the interests of the mining industry will trump Aboriginal rights and the environment of Ontario.

Lovelace, who turned 60 in jail, announced that he will begin a hunger strike tomorrow to press the government to respond to Ardoch's request for good faith negotiations. "I do not want my children and grandchildren to have to go through what we are going through" he said. "Starting tomorrow I will consume only water in the hopes that our cry for justice will be heard by Mr. McGuinty and Mr. Bryant."

Chief Paula Sherman said: "I will soon be going to jail because I cannot and will not pay this unjust fine. I am a single mother with three dependents whose only crime is the defense of our land. Like Bob Lovelace and the KI 6, I would rather go to jail than take food out of my children's mouths or let our land be destroyed ."

Acting Co-Chief Mireille Lapointe added "We are sickened by the hypocrisy of the McGuinty government. While honest, conscientious community leaders languish in their jails for peacefully protecting our land from uranium mining, all these politicians care about is their public image. They are lying when they say they are trying to resolve these disputes. They have done nothing at all and continue to show total indifference. They do not even respond to our letters, calls and emails asking for negotiations, meanwhile claiming they care about us and our land".

Ardoch and KI remain committed to resolving these disputes peacefully, through negotiations which lead to responsible, cooperative land use planning. We call on all citizens of Ontario to support the unconditional release of our leaders and negotiators by joining us at Queen's Park on May 26 at the Gathering of Mother Earth's Protectors.

For more information contact Paula Sherman: (613) 329-3707
Or Chris Reid, lawyer: (416) 629-3117


* Support the Mohawks of Tyendinnaga, still fighting theft of and unsustainable development of native land and violently attacked by OPP. Sign the petition to demand all charges against Shawn Brant (who non-violently blocked the 401 to call attention to this injustice) be dropped. Join the Shawn Brant facebook group, or sign petition at

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stoplicensingplunder

The youth of Grassy Narrows are walking to Queen's Park to bring the message of autonomy from Ontario's Northwest.

By Jon Thompson

Originally published in the Daily Miner and News
Wednesday April 30, 2008

The tire tracks from the ice roads have melted on Grassy Narrows lake, nearly the furthest point from Queen’s Park in Ontario that is still connected by roads. Seeing the rising action of resistance and arrests on the province’s First Nations and too little action on settling land claims and adhering to what she sees as the rights of the Nishinawbe people, Chrissy Swain is going for a walk.

Her community’s environmental steward, Judy DeSilva, designed a youth staff whose purpose has become a highway pilgrimage called “Protecting Our Mother”. The group of ten left this morning from the eastward exit to Kenora and will march all the way into the heart of Toronto to meet a demonstration on May 26.

The van full of young people and their supporters along the way will walk or run but the staff will be a constant beacon, wielding the message that the future of First Nations land in Ontario’s North belongs to the next generation.

Grassy Narrows First Nation is the site of the longest standing blockade in North America, holding logging companies from harvesting the Whiskeyjack Forest. Swain says that as the chief and council are in negotiations for development, the community is split and at different stages of interest as it moves forward.

She has performed consultation exercises with the youth at school where development options were weighed with the responsibility of that decision affecting future generations.

When faced with the enduring context of the choice, she says, the youth tend to conclude that the best course of action is holding back from development until they can understand what that will mean for a people striving to heal their community.

“The way I see things and the way they see things, we have to look way ahead into the future,” she explains. “That’s how serious this is. What we decide today is going to impact what happens to my great grandchildren. Any decisions made on my behalf also affect my great grandchildren.”

She compares that sentiment as an echo of the call from the jailed leadership of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (KI), that the decision to partake in development (in that case, a nearby platinum mine) may take generations. To Swain, the arrests of those wanting to stop the logging on Grassy Narrows last summer is linked to the plight of the KI leaders, those standing up to uranium mining on Ardoc, the reclamation to hold back further development on Six Nations, and the case of Sean Brandt on Tyendinaga.

“Anywhere we’re trying to make a stand to protect our land, our resources and our rights, we get criminalized. That’s the first thing the youth want to learn is their rights. There are a lot of people in the older generation who don’t know their rights, who don’t know the difference between our treaty and the Indian Act. They think our rights are disappearing. There’s so much fear put into the older people from the residential schools that we have to live that way or else they’re going to throw us in jail … and that’s exactly what’s going on.”

Swain is empowered by the legend of seven prophecies that have come to pass since settlers came to this land. Among them, there was to be blood in the water, the trees would fall, and the seventh was a child with light in his eyes, representing a generation that would “change everything”. Having watched the interest in the youth of her community come alive since they led the construction of the Grassy Narrows blockade, she believes they are bound to create real change.

“Because of everything that has happened behind us, there was massacring of our people, there was the residential schools, everything that has happened behind us is always with us. It has always been passed on to us. That’s what makes it different. It has happened to us and we’re fed up with it. We don’t want it to happen to our kids … That’s what makes us different: we’re not afraid.”

See also:

Canada's prime minister to apologize to Natives (5/16)

Studies show discrimination of Natives in Canada (5/16)

May 04, 2008

IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, IT'S A ... “UAV”?!?! … by Iakoha’ko:wa

MNN. May 4, 2008. The Ottawa Citizens reported on January 22, 2008, that "The Canadian military has earmarked $220 million to build a new base for the Joint Task Force 2 counter-terrorism unit, with plans calling for the secretive formation to move out of Ottawa sometime after 2010.... Hillier recommended that JTF2's new base be located at Canadian Forces Base Trenton." [[From "Counter-terrorism unit..." by David Pugliese]

Just when we thought that the human race has finally advanced to a point where everyone realized that the military solution was no solution at all. Now Rick Hillier has rescued “war games” from the dust bin. Canadian taxpayers are now forced to neglect repairs to roads, sewage systems and infrastructures of hospitals and schools, cut down education and all the legitimate concerns of the people. How juvenile this is? These little boys want to keep playing video games. There’s no “restart game” button to restore the lives that were lost or the environment that was polluted by their delusions that problems can be solved if you shoot ‘em up and blast ‘em to kingdom come.

With all the absurd but potentially lethal commotion at the Mohawk community of Tyendinaga lately, 20 minutes from Trenton CFB, we have to wonder if there may be some connection to this military game playing. Why do they want to waste so much of taxpayers’ money for those SWAT-OPP gangs to go into Tyendinaga to harass, beat and arrest people for no good reason?.

Defence Construction Canada is the Crown corporation that builds new military bases. It answers to Michael Fortier, the Minister of Public Works and Government Services. He’s NOT an elected Member of Parliament, though he’s run for office. He has a background in investment banking and worked for Ogilvy Renault, a law firm with offices in Montreal. It’s obviously a money-making scheme for someone and it’s being sold though an appeal to adolescent adrenaline.

The Deputy Minister is Francois Guimont, also an appointed career bureaucrat. The DM "provides the overall vision and direction for the department, and oversees 12,000 employees..." According to the Ottawa Citizens these guys provide the “overall vision”. In other words, forget about democracy. Canadians are not war-like. this is a bill of goods that’s being stuffed down people’s throat. This is not a product of public discussion. We have not hear of Canadians calling for a greater use of arms. Guimont worked in the Privy Council Office and the Ministry of the Environment. [He's a "bottom feeder"!]

Defence Construction Canada (DCC) deals with one client only, the Department of National Defense (DND). Scott Stevenson is the ADM/IE (Assistant Deputy Minister/Infrastructure & Environment). He oversees all the details of everything for the military! He’s a military man, a graduate of Queens University and an economist. This “mega gamester” has made it into the big league. He’s living every megalomaniac school boy’s dream.

Rem Westland, another “gamster” held the position of ADM/IE in 1998-99 while he was Director General of Realty Policy and Plans from 1997-2003 at DND. It wouldn’t surprise us if he worked with Stevenson.

Westland has a cottage on Sharbot Lake, 40 minutes north of Kingston. In an exclusive interview with MNN he admitted that Sharbot Lake is Haudenosaunee land. But why is he keeping quiet while a phony Algonquin land claim plays itself out? Westland’s background puts him in a strategic position for whatever military plans are underway to develop the area.

Just this week, we heard on the news how manufacturing jobs in Ontario are down from 80,000 in 2001 to 60,000 in 2007. GM has just laid off 1000 skilled workers at its Oshawa plant, the other side of Trenton. Will the GM workers end up building the new training base that DCC will oversee quite likely at Trenton? Someone’s got to have the answer.

Pugliese stated, "Public Works and Government Services Canada has already purchased three properties [about 130 hectares] adjacent to CFB Trenton for the Defense Department... Another 270 hectares are also being looked at for purchase."

What kind of training will go on at this new base? The military has so many new lethal toys to test. It could involve nuclear submarines and ships in Lake Ontario or planes overhead. Trenton has a big airport. With so much buzz in the military news these days about UAV's (unmanned aerial vehicles), we wonder if that has something to do with it.

People should know about those little UAV's, what they look like and what they can do. You never know when you might see one and wonder what it is.

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

UAV's are a growing part of 21st century warfare. They are mostly used in surveillance roles but also can be equipped to attack targets by remote control, sometimes at great distance. They are widely used by the occupation forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Imaginative names are given to UAV's like “Raven”, “Hawk” and “Warrior”. The smallest UAV's can be put into a back pack and assembled on the ground by one person. They look like toy planes. Some UAV's can stay in the air for days and travel at speeds up to 200km/hr. Depending on how they are powered, they can be very quiet. The Canadian military uses the Skylark I, a small UAV made by Elbit, an Israeli company and sold to DND by Thales Systems Canada which has offices in Ottawa and Kingston.

The Skylark was designed to spy on the Palestinians. It can "look over the hill" and "around the corner" and record images day or night. It is durable in all weather conditions. Elbit's larger Hermes UAV can shoot and drop bombs.

According to the Elbit web site, "Skylark I can be used for both defense and homeland security applications including perimeter security, border and coastal surveillance, anti-terrorism surveillance and a variety of “law enforcement” “missions" like attacking Indigenous communities. Like hey! You wouldn’t want these guys to be deprived of fun just because was no legitimate targets, would you?

A device called a "ShotSpotter" can be mounted on a UAV in order to detect exactly where a shot has been fired from. It requires sensors that are placed on rooftops or street poles. It's used by various US Police Departments like Rochester, NY in Haudenosaunee Territory and Minneapolis, MN in Lakota Territory.

Could they be trying out the UAV's on the Mohawks at Tyendinaga? It doesn't sound like their toys work on those who keep pulling disappearing acts. Maybe their “peeping tom” toys don’t work on the socially “invisible” Indigenous? Since the colonists don’t want peaceful solutions, these guys think this is just another “technological challenge” to ‘git’ us!

This must be a joke. First they spent billions of dollars trying to kill us off, to make us invisible, deleting us from their history books and refusing us a fair say. Now they’re spending billions trying to build a technology of infra red heat seeking missiles and high tech gadgets to find those of us who survived their genocide. Don’t these idiots know we’re human beings? Nothing justifies treating us like targets.

IAKOHA'KO:WA

See pictures of UAV's and more info on the internet at these links:

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/raven-uavs-winning-gold-in-afghanistans-commando-olympics-01432/

http://www.spacewar.com/uav.html

Contact the bureacrats who know about these still
secretive plans to build a new military base:

DND ADM/IE There is no contact info for the
ADM/IE on their web site. He doesn't answer to
the common people anyhow. Try
scott.stevenson@forces.gc.ca

webmaster@forces.gc.ca

Mailing address:
Department of National Defence
Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs)
Web Services
National Defence Headquarters
Major-General George R. Pearkes Building
101 Colonel By Drive, 2 NT
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0K2

Phone: 613-945-1011

Facsimile: 613-992-4739

TTY/TDD*: 1 800 467-9877

Minister's Office
The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay
Minister of National Defence
National Defence Headquarters
Major-General George R. Pearkes Building
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0K2

Phone: 613-996-3100 Facsimile: 613-995-8189 TTY/TDD* : 1 800 467-9877

MacKay.P@parl.gc.ca

PWGS There is no contact info provided for these guys. You have to ask for it.

Deputy Minister Guimont
francois.guimont@pwgsc.gc.ca,
Minister Fortier
michael.fortier@pwgsc.gc.ca

Public Works and Government Services Canada
Portage III
Gatineau, Québec
K1A 0S5 General Inquiries:
questions@pwgsc.gc.ca


DCC Head Office
Defence Construction Canada
Constitution Square, 19th Floor
350 Albert Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0K3
Tel: (613) 998-9548, Fax: (613) 998-1061 1-800-514-3555
e-mail:
info@dcc-cdc.gc.ca

Ontario Region
Defence Construction Canada
Howard Maitland Building
780 Midpark Drive, Suite 205
Kingston ON K7M 7P6
Tel.: (613) 384-1256, Fax: (613) 384-7747

TRENTON
Defence Construction Canada
8 Wing / CFB Trenton
14 Alert Blvd., Room 218
Astra ON K0K 3W0

Tel: (613) 392-2811 Fax: (613) 392-8630

Rem Westland Write Rem at <
remw@thecrg.com>. Or call him at 613 748-3945 (home) or 613 596-2910
x525 (office) or 613 279-2143 (cottage). His mailing address is 157 Acacia Ave., Rockcliffe, ON K1M 0R4

http://www.thales-systems.ca/
Thales Canada, Systems Division
1 Chrysalis Way
Ottawa, ON K2G 6P9
PH: (613) 723-7000
FAX: (613) 723-5600

3107, avenue des Hotels
Sainte-Foy, Quebec G1W 4W5
Phone: (418) 844-3027
Fax: (418) 844-1966

inquiries@ca.thalesgroup.com

POSTED BY MNN MOHAWK NATION NEWS

www.mohawknationnews.com

See Category: “ Sharbot Lake “


May 03, 2008

Robert Lovelace speaks + citizens Inquiry into uranium

Letters: May 1


Lovelace Speaks Out, Bob Lovelace

Citizen's Inquiry into Uranium, Donna Dillman


Lovelace Speaks Out

Editor's Note: At the final session of the Citizens’ Inquiry into the uranium cycle, which was held in Ottawa, Mireille Lapointe, a co-chief with the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, read a portion of a submission written by Ardoch former chief Bob Lovelace, who lives at Canoe Lake in Bedford District of South Frontenac. Lovelace has been in jail at the Central East Correctional Facility since February 18 after leading guilty to a contempt of court charge for refusing to honour a court injunction barring him from blocking the gate in front of the Roberstville mine in North Frontenac. He refused to enter into an undertaking to desist from blocking the mine, which is being used as a staging ground for a drilling program by the uranium exploration company Frontenac Ventures Corporation, and was sentenced to serve six months by Superior Court Justice Cunningham.

He is scheduled for release on August 18 . He was also fined $25,000. An appeal to his sentencing will be heard on may 28 in Toronto.

Below is reprinted the final few paragraphs of the text, For an electronic version of the entire text, click on the following link lovelace-citizens-inquiry.pdf (21 kb)

I have come to understand that uranium and the military industrial complex that it feeds, is the forbidden fruit of our generation. It is the turtle with the ring of moss on its back. It is the glittery box on which Pandora speculates. My investment in the future will not be in uranium nor its allied industries. I chose the morality of Algonquin Law and I will let posterity be my judge. I have never been reconciled with Solomon's view that all is vanity. The beauty of a frozen swamp in the middle of winter is not a self-absorbed pretension. The beauty of a rainbow, a sunset, a fungus growing in layers along a fallen tree, a world independent of human comings and goings, all in all, never less than any which may be contrived. The goal of living is not in attaining beauty but in accepting it. Desire is what blinds us to invent beauty, to invent confections for the heart and mind. And in doing so we live our lives out as caricatures on Vanity's stage. As an Anishnabeg person I am not long out of the forest and I know that water in its natural form is beautifully clean, the wind is warm and full of song or cold and clear, the earth after a billion years still smells fresh and clean, one sea will produce ten, a hundred, even a thousand fold. I know that the earth is a quiet place as though listening to itself. When it speaks it does so in an immense diversity of voices, some cautious, some cautioning, all beautifully distant but urgent to be heard. It is such a world that vanity seeks to erase.

I believe that at not other time in history have humans collectively had such a clear view of the whole frame. At once it is possible to see our beginnings and the possible futures a head of us. This perspective however will not last. As we advance further a history of over consumption and unmanageable waste the opportunities for sustainability and the perceptible choices become fewer and fewer. Social change does not come easily. The defences against colonialism have had only marginal success and more often than not have resulted in violence and counter revolution. However when we look at the natural world we can see their powerful forces with which human beings ally. Within our human nature are forces with which we can endure through the harshest challenges. Collectively, the bonds of family, clan and community are far stronger than the deceptions that divide us. In pursuit of positive social change we need to activate within ourselves the gifts endowed upon us through creation. Perception, logic, discipline, imagination, courage and insight are only a few of the powerful gifts within us. We need to activate ourselves to ask less and give more so our local communities become stronger. We need to embrace silence so when we do speak the clarity of our voice will be unmistakable.

Changing the intentions of governments can be even more difficult than effecting social change. I have no doubt that more people will have to go to prison before Ontario becomes nuclear free and we embrace a society that undertakes real sustainability. The whole basis of sustainability is local communities meeting local needs. Big government simply does not fit into this picture and neither does corporate construction of need fulfilment. Sustainability is not about turning back the clock but rather the long overdue evolution of rationalizing real human needs with real earthy processes. As a society in change Ontario will need every bit of the wealth now destined for nuclear development to effect the transitions that are required. Urban structures need to be reinvented. The meaning of labour will need to be redefined. Eco-cartography will reshape political boundaries. And most of all people will change culturally. The present energy crisis and the need for sustainable economies necessitate a renaissance of humanity but present governments resist such change because the old means of governance; repression, false promises and popularity contests are not sufficient to control populations through emergent creativity. For today's governments it will seem easier to deny, pretend, punish and finally abdicate responsibility. People need to take initiative on there won and they need to do so now. There is a great need to defend the earth and our relatives in creation. Stopping uranium exploitation is definitely an important action in defending the earth. The coalitions that are created are nexus of shared knowledge and mutual concern. But simply shutting down the machines, turning off the taps and extinguishing the lights is not enough to meet the challenges of an over consumptive society. We need to reinvent ourselves.

Last year when I learned that 30,000 acres of our homeland had been staked for uranium exploration with the potential for an open pit mine, my first thoughts were how to protect Algonquin rights and interests. Since then my knowledge and understanding has grown beyond parochial interests to include my non-Algonquin neighbours and a struggle that goes further than mere resistance to colonialism. However my core understanding of what is to be Anishnabeg (human being), my knowledge of the land (aki) and my acceptance of the meaning of creation still inform who I am and what I believe. Going to prison is a small price to pay for one's integrity and even a smaller price to pay for the right to care for the earth, our mother and home to all of our relations. Sacrifice is the work that binds us with the rest of humanity who struggles to preserve their homelands, sustainable cultures and natural justice. As each day passes I believe more and more that to live free, active, intelligent, compassionate lives is our inheritance. Imprisonment is never the end of the struggle for change. It is the beginning of conviction. To be a human being is to find peace and good will taking only what you need and giving back everything.

I am humbled to be able to share my thoughts with the Citizens' Inquiry and I commend all of you for your hard work and sacrifices bringing this forum to the people.

Bob Lovelace




Citizen's Inquiry into Uranium

Having heard 140 presentations, witnessed by approximately 600 observers in four venues in eastern Ontario, including over 30 presentations in Kingston on April 8, 2008, the Citizens' Inquiry into the Impacts of the Uranium Cycle has completed its mandate.

We thank each and every one of the presenters for speaking their truth, regardless of their worldview in regards to the issue. Their energy, time commitment, passion, dedication and courage are appreciated and were the core to the success of the Inquiry. Many of the stories were sobering, some taking us to the verge of tears, others uplifting and many very educational. People travelled from as far away as Manitoulin Island, North Bay, Montreal, and Toronto to participate. The expertise that came together over the month-long period was impressive, with many dozens of organizations and two political parties represented. Far too many to name individually, we thank each and every one.

Panelists Fraser McVie, Cameron Smith, Marion Dewar, Janet Gutowski, Jamie Swift, Rev. Laurie McKnight-Walker and Lorraine Rekmans deserve special mention for their willingness to sit and take notes through 80 collective hours of presentations and their continued dedication as they sift through notes to formulate comments for the forthcoming Report.

Thanks, too, to all who gave of their time to be present, whether to learn more about the uranium cycle or to support the effort to raise public awareness on all of uranium's many aspects. Both sides agreed that uranium, once disturbed, is one of the most dangerous substances on the planet and many questions were addressed, including:

  • Is it true that we need nuclear energy, despite the known health and environmental risk factors, the billions in cost and billions more in cost overruns and the fact that we have yet to figure out what to do with the accumulating waste at both ends "in order to keep the lights on in Ontario" to quote Premier McGuinty and the nuclear lobby?

  • Is it really as clean, green and affordable as that lobby would have us believe? Who benefits, and who loses as a result of this lobby?

  • Where do people and the environment fit when there is big money to be had by a few?

  • Do we want to spend another 42 billion tax dollars on nuclear generation when we are still paying off the nuclear debt on our hydro bills every month from decades past?

  • While the Earth will regenerate even if it takes hundreds of thousands of years, does society, our children, grandchildren and those not yet born, have that kind of time, or should we be thinking more seriously about conservation and putting our dwindling resources into renewables?

The material presented to the Inquiry panelists, as well as the submissions received, totalling approximately 200 to date, ranging from a single sentence to hundreds of pages, will form a report that will be published by June 28 and all submissions that fall within the scope of the Inquiry will be available on the website: www.uraniumcitizensinquiry.com.

Like so much else, the Inquiry would not have been the success it was without the efforts of those behind the scenes, whether arranging venues, preparing food and refreshments, helping with promotion, or simply providing feedback when needed. You all know who you are and we do, indeed, thank you.

Donna Dillman
for the Citizens' Inquiry Committee


I have come to understand that uranium and the military industrial complex that it feeds, is the forbidden fruit of our generation. It is the turtle with the ring of moss on its back. It is the glittery box on which Pandora speculates. My investment in the future will not be in uranium nor its allied industries. I chose the morality of Algonquin Law and I will let posterity be my judge. I have never been reconciled with Solomon's view that all is vanity. The beauty of a frozen swamp in the middle of winter is not a self-absorbed pretension. The beauty of a rainbow, a sunset, a fungus growing in layers along a fallen tree, a world independent of human comings and goings, all in all, never less than any which may be contrived. The goal of living is not in attaining beauty but in accepting it. Desire is what blinds us to invent beauty, to invent confections for the heart and mind. And in doing so we live our lives out as caricatures on Vanity's stage. As an Anishnabeg person I am not long out of the forest and I know that water in its natural form is beautifully clean, the wind is warm and full of song or cold and clear, the earth after a billion years still smells fresh and clean, one sea will produce ten, a hundred, even a thousand fold. I know that the earth is a quiet place as though listening to itself. When it speaks it does so in an immense diversity of voices, some cautious, some cautioning, all beautifully distant but urgent to be heard. It is such a world that vanity seeks to erase.

I believe that at not other time in history have humans collectively had such a clear view of the whole frame. At once it is possible to see our beginnings and the possible futures a head of us. This perspective however will not last. As we advance further a history of over consumption and unmanageable waste the opportunities for sustainability and the perceptible choices become fewer and fewer. Social change does not come easily. The defences against colonialism have had only marginal success and more often than not have resulted in violence and counter revolution. However when we look at the natural world we can see their powerful forces with which human beings ally. Within our human nature are forces with which we can endure through the harshest challenges. Collectively, the bonds of family, clan and community are far stronger than the deceptions that divide us. In pursuit of positive social change we need to activate within ourselves the gifts endowed upon us through creation. Perception, logic, discipline, imagination, courage and insight are only a few of the powerful gifts within us. We need to activate ourselves to ask less and give more so our local communities become stronger. We need to embrace silence so when we do speak the clarity of our voice will be unmistakable.

Changing the intentions of governments can be even more difficult than effecting social change. I have no doubt that more people will have to go to prison before Ontario becomes nuclear free and we embrace a society that undertakes real sustainability. The whole basis of sustainability is local communities meeting local needs. Big government simply does not fit into this picture and neither does corporate construction of need fulfilment. Sustainability is not about turning back the clock but rather the long overdue evolution of rationalizing real human needs with real earthy processes. As a society in change Ontario will need every bit of the wealth now destined for nuclear development to effect the transitions that are required. Urban structures need to be reinvented. The meaning of labour will need to be redefined. Eco-cartography will reshape political boundaries. And most of all people will change culturally. The present energy crisis and the need for sustainable economies necessitate a renaissance of humanity but present governments resist such change because the old means of governance; repression, false promises and popularity contests are not sufficient to control populations through emergent creativity. For today's governments it will seem easier to deny, pretend, punish and finally abdicate responsibility. People need to take initiative on there won and they need to do so now. There is a great need to defend the earth and our relatives in creation. Stopping uranium exploitation is definitely an important action in defending the earth. The coalitions that are created are nexus of shared knowledge and mutual concern. But simply shutting down the machines, turning off the taps and extinguishing the lights is not enough to meet the challenges of an over consumptive society. We need to reinvent ourselves.

Last year when I learned that 30,000 acres of our homeland had been staked for uranium exploration with the potential for an open pit mine, my first thoughts were how to protect Algonquin rights and interests. Since then my knowledge and understanding has grown beyond parochial interests to include my non-Algonquin neighbours and a struggle that goes further than mere resistance to colonialism. However my core understanding of what is to be Anishnabeg (human being), my knowledge of the land (aki) and my acceptance of the meaning of creation still inform who I am and what I believe. Going to prison is a small price to pay for one's integrity and even a smaller price to pay for the right to care for the earth, our mother and home to all of our relations. Sacrifice is the work that binds us with the rest of humanity who struggles to preserve their homelands, sustainable cultures and natural justice. As each day passes I believe more and more that to live free, active, intelligent, compassionate lives is our inheritance. Imprisonment is never the end of the struggle for change. It is the beginning of conviction. To be a human being is to find peace and good will taking only what you need and giving back everything.

I am humbled to be able to share my thoughts with the Citizens' Inquiry and I commend all of you for your hard work and sacrifices bringing this forum to the people.


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