CPTnet
31 July 2008
ROBERTSVILLE, ON: Algonquins, with supporters, continue to protect their lands

by Renee Borsberry

Early on the morning of 21 July, five CPTers joined a group of Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (AAFN) members and local non-indigenous people (who refer to themselves as settlers) at the Robertsville site where they have been resisting efforts by Frontenac Ventures Corporation to explore for uranium since last year. The gathering was brief, lasting only about forty-five minutes, but the message was clear: NO MINING ON FIRST NATIONS TERRITORIES WITHOUT CONSENT.

During the the witness, Ardoch community leader Bob Lovelace shared a traditional story,"The Great Bow" to the circle of approximately twenty-five people, about a young man's vision, his journey to fulfill it, and the people he meets along the way. Lovelace noted that one key theme of the story was accepting the limits of the help offered by those who walk beside us for a time and then have to go their own way. Another was the importance of being true to our dreams, to the best of our abilities.

On 28 May, the Ontario Court of Appeals ruled that the sentence imposed on Lovelace and leaders of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug community (known as the KI Six) for peacefully protecting their territories, was overly harsh. In its reasons for an acquittal released earlier this month, the Court stated that this "situation that cries out for dedicated negotiation among Ontario, the AAFN and Frontenac with a view to reconciliation of the competing interests". The decision declared that before the Crown allows private companies access to land claimed by First Nations, it must ensure that the Crown has fulfilled its mandate to consult these Nations and exhausted every effort to resolve the matter. The Court also acknowledged that both the Ardoch and KI communities had fulfilled their duty in requesting direct negotiations-a request ignored by the provincial government, which allied itself with Frontenac.

The court decision represents another reaffirmation of First Nations' sovereignty and asserts that the nineteenth-century Mining Act is inherently problematic and in need of change. First Nations communities are waiting to see if Ontario will finally be faithful to its mandate to consult.

Since spring of 2007, the Ardoch along with neighboring Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation and local supporters have resisted the destruction of their traditional lands by uranium mining. The Shabot Obaadjiwan community is currently engaged in consultation proceedings with Ontario and Frontenac Ventures, hoping to eliminate or reduce mining on their lands.

To see photos of the story circle and a subsequent action at the Robertsville site on July 23, go to http://cpt.org/gallery/album254.

The Aboriginal Justice Team participating in the week's actions included Carolyn Hudson, John Hudson, Rebecca Johnson, Renee Borsberry, and Joel Klassen.