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.

 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.