Recent CPTnet stories

ABORIGINAL JUSTICE: Delegations to Treaty #3 Territory (Northwestern Ontario) announced, 13-23 April, 10-20 August and 28 September-8 October 2012.

September 29th, 2011
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Corporate clear-cut logging of Asubpeeschoseewagong traditional territory has destroyed hunting, trapping, food, and medicine gathering activities.  Indian Residential Schools have deeply damaged families and communities.  Mercury contamination discovered over forty years ago continues to poison residents. 

Explore what it means to live in right relationship with the earth and each other.  Find out what it means to be an ally to indigenous communities engaged in healing, resisting colonialism, and struggling for sovereignty.  From a base in the city of Kenora, and through visits to Asubpeeschoseewagong traditional lands, the delegations will meet with and learn from Indigenous and non-Indigenous community leaders and residents.
 
Delegates will develop an analysis of colonialism, participate in undoing racism training and plan, and/or participate in events as allies in the struggle for justice and dignity for Indigenous peoples.

ABORIGINAL JUSTICE: Two First Nations celebrate small victories.

August 12th, 2011
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 The Algonquin First Nation of Barriere Lake is celebrating the suspension of work on its territory by mining company Cartier Resources Inc.  In March 2011, the community discovered ongoing copper mining exploration on their traditional lands.  When the Algonquins explained their opposition, the workers on site, mostly from Mistassini and Oujebougaou First Nations, stopped work and left.…

A recent community referendum in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) passed with 96% support for both a Watershed Declaration protecting Big Trout Lake, and a Consultation Protocol detailing the methodology the community will use in assessing development proposals on the rest of KI territory.…

ONTARIO: Government consultant supports concerns of Grassy Narrows community

July 18th, 2011
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 The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has recently released the results of an independent audit of the Whiskey Jack Forest, identifying numerous areas of concern in the forest's management. The audit is part of a regular monitoring process that tracks how logging companies are abiding by regulations and produces action plans to rectify bad practices and poor results. The Ministry of Natural Resources is engaged in land-use negotiations with Grassy Narrows First Nation (GNFN), whose traditional territory largely coincides with the Whiskey Jack Forest.

 The report reiterates many of GNFN's concerns over the destruction of their territory.  Since 2002, the community has blockaded a road used by logging trucks. CPT was invited to accompany the blockade, which supports a moratorium on clear-cut logging on traditional territory. The report, which covers much of the negotiation period, finds 'significant issues with management of the Whiskey Jack Forest, both in planning and in on-the-ground implementation of the plan' (page ii).  Its primary message is that the MNR has not done enough to repair the damage caused by industrial logging or to help the forest heal.

ABORIGINAL JUSTICE REFLECTION: Stories from Grassy Narrows

June 10th, 2011
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During my delegation to Treaty #3 Territory in April this year, I saw the continuing effects of the 500-year history of colonization and genocide on this continent. It's a testimony to the effectiveness of white settlement and ethnic cleansing; I had never come face to face with these realities before in a personal way.  I'll share two particular stories with you.

ABORIGINAL JUSTICE ACTION REQUEST: Tell Canada to Implement UNDRIP

June 1st, 2011
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In 2007 the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the UN General Assembly. Last year, CPT’s Aboriginal Justice Team (AJT) supported a campaign to press Canada to endorse the declaration.  In November 2010 Canada signed on, followed in December by the last country left, the United States.

The next step is for the declaration to influence law and decision-making. Many of the issues facing communities that the Aboriginal Justice Team have relationship with are addressed by one or more of the 46 articles, and which assert the state’s minimum duty towards indigenous peoples. If the declaration is to have any effect it must be used to inform the government’s position in ongoing and future debates about land, culture and rights.