CPTnet
December 10, 2003
ASUBPEESCHOSEEWAGONG UPDATE: November 9 to December 3, 2003

by Tricia Brown

Abitibi
On November 11, representatives of Grassy Narrows First Nation (GNFN) met
with the General Manager, Regional Manager and Spokesman of Abitibi
Consolidated. Abitibi is the paper company that contracts clearcutting of
the GNFN traditional land use area. CPTers Jessica Phillips and Matthew
Schaaf attended the meeting at which Abitibi presented a proposal to the
Grassy Narrows chief and council. According to the proposal, Abitibi would
halt all cutting within a ten km radius around the reserve, co-manage with
Grassy Narrows cutting within a further ten km, and provide money for social
programs on the reserve. Residents of GNFN are preparing a response to this
proposal.

Eight days after the meeting with Abitibi, GNFN residents held a Blockade
Meeting at the Roundhouse on Slant Lake where the blockade started.
Community members in attendance expressed their views about the Abitibi
proposal and revived their commitment to protecting their traditional
lands. A week later, on November 24, a well-attended sharing circle was
also held at the Roundhouse. These meetings off of the reserve are
significant because a number of Grassy Narrows residents continue
enthusiastically to support the logging blockade and the resistance it
represents, even though logging in the immediate area has stopped.

Kenora
The team continues to build relationships with the community of Kenora,
about eighty km south of the Grassy Narrows reserve, and economically
entwined
with Abitibi. The team visits with Kenora church community and
participates in church events. The team is hosting, along with four Kenora
churches (Roman Catholic, United, Baptist, and Anglican), a series of Advent
prayer vigils in Kenora. Through these interactions, the team shares first
hand information with Kenorans about the struggle in Grassy Narrows--a
struggle to which the Kenora community is integral.

Slant Lake
Team members have spent time preparing for winter, including finishing the
log cabin at Slant Lake which will accommodate the team throughout the
winter months. GNFN community members have affirmed that CPT's presence
protects the camp at Slant Lake and its sacred sites from the threat of
destruction by provincial authorities. These sites carry important symbolic
significance for the community and are central to the community's resistance
to destruction of their land and culture.

On December 2 and 3, people celebrated the one year anniversary of the
logging blockade at Slant Lake with a feast, sacred ceremonies, and a pow
wow which involved traditional drumming and dancing. Many Grassy Narrows
supporters including those from Wildlands League (Toronto), Friends of
Grassy (Winnipeg), and Indy Media (Thunder Bay) came to participate in these
events.