by David Milne

On 25 May 2010, the Simcoe County Council voted to ask the Ministry of the Environment of the Province of Ontario to revoke the Certificate of Approval for Dump Site 41. The Ministry immediately approved the request. The  pure water of the Alliston Aquifer has been protected indefinitely, at least in this location.

Common sense and environmental activism have won a huge victory. This protest came out of a wonderful period of cooperation and mutual trust among Indigenous people, local farmers, residents of nearby towns and churches and activists from environmental and other NGOs, including the  Aboriginal Justice Team of Christian Peacemaker Teams. 

Anishinaabe Kweag, five women from  Beausoleil First Nation, began the camp site that became the focal point of the protest and led the blockade. Their spiritual vision of protecting the  water inspired all of us. Many other Indigenous people joined their efforts.

They have gone home to communities threatened still by the legacy of residential schools —loss of language, cultural values and  parenting skills. They struggle with poverty and health issues that  greatly exceed that of non-indigenous settler communities.  Non-indigenous people have gone home to business as usual, while courts and governments continue to ignore Indigenous treaty rights and land claims.
The great prophet Micah posed the question “And what does the Lord require of you?” His first response was “Act justly..” Will we carry forward the good will and cooperation from our joint efforts to protect the water and demand justice for the indigenous people of this land?