Aboriginal Justice delegation to Algonquin Territory
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) seeks participants for a delegation to Robertsville Mine (about 80 km north of Kingston, ON) where two Algonquin First Nations communities are struggling to protect their unceded land from uranium exploration and mining.
Frontenac Ventures Corporation (FVC) is licensed under the Ontario Mining Act to conduct exploratory drilling on 60 square kilometres of historic Algonquin territory. An open-pit uranium mine would release toxic radon gas and polonium, and leave behind millions of tonnes of radioactive tailings that will permanently pollute groundwater. The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (AAFN) says, “Uranium mining will lead directly to our social, spiritual and cultural demise.” Algonquin leader Bob Lovelace has been jailed for his non-violent resistance to illegal and immoral actions by the Ontario government, while many other Algonquin leaders from both Shabot Obaadjiwan FN and AAFN face heavy fines. This delegation will coincide with the continued court proceedings related to this situation.
After occupying the Robertsville Mine for 107 days throughout the summer of 2007, both First Nations participated in a mediation process with the federal and provincial governments and FVC, talks which broke down when the provincial government predetermined that the outcome must include drilling. In February and March, an Ontario Superior Court judge issued prison sentences and stiff fines to Algonquin leaders for their non-violent resistance to a court injunction which prohibited the blockade. The Algonquins have called for a moratorium on uranium exploration and are seeking a resolution to their historic national land claims. The resistance campaign to prevent uranium mining is supported by local “settler” (non-Algonquin) residents.
The CPT Aboriginal Justice Delegation will meet with Algonquin leaders and settler and environmental activists; seek the perspectives of those who are in support of uranium exploration (including government officials); make visits to the historic blockade site; develop an analysis of colonialism; participate in undoing racism training; and organize a public witness in support of the Algonquin’s struggle for justice. This is a crucial time for your voice to be heard for a just resolution of this matter.