Media Advisory

For immediate release

Sharbot Lake, ON Nov. 4, 2007 Statement by Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU)

In a letter to Premier McGuinty, CCAMU expressed deep concern that the government of Ontario has failed to address issues of funding and compensation for Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) during the negotiation process to develop a Memorandum of Understanding. The Government of Ontario was ordered by Superior Court to develop a Memorandum of Understanding.

Marilyn Crawford described the concerns of CCAMU, “The Government of Ontario has a responsibility to ensure that the KI community is not jeopardized as a result of the negotiations. They need to address issues of funding and compensation for KI. The rights of First Nations should not be compromised because they have limited resources.”

The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation are engaged in an effort to protest drilling for uranium in the Ardoch/Shabot Lake area. They are exercising the right to consultation, and to determine land use that has neither been sold nor surrendered to the Crown. For this protest, they are still faced with a legal suit of $77 million dollars.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Oct. 2007 expresses the concern that indigenous peoples are prevented from exercising their right to resource development in accordance with their own needs and interests.

The UN declaration makes recommendation relevant to the Province of Ontario:
• to consult and cooperate in good faith and to respect the right of First Nations to the conservation and protection of the environment, the lands and resources, and
• to consult and cooperate in good faith in order to obtain the free and informed consent of First Nations prior to the approval of projects affecting First Nations lands or territories.
•
Chris Reid, legal councel for the AAFNA states, “An obligation to consult and accommodate is mandated by the Supreme Court of Canada, prior to resource development on land claimed by First Nations as theirs. KI exercised their right to request drilling equipment to be removed from their territory pending these consultations. It is unfair that KI has endured legal costs that have negatively impacted on community programming as a result of insisting that Ontario meet its legal obligation to consult with KI. KI, AAFNA and SOFN have exercised their right to oppose drilling in their respective territories. Both are faced with legal action and adversity. The situation is caused by an outdated Mining Act and the failure of the legal obligation to consult and accommodate.”

CCAMU encourages the government of Ontario to prevent future conflicts over land access, and to respect First Nations’ vision for the lands and the right for community-led decisions prior to claim staking and exploration taking place.

For more information please contact

Marilyn Crawford, CCAMU 613 273 4511
Chris Reid, legal counsel for Ardoch Algonquins First Nation 416-466-9928
John Cutfeet, KI spokesperson at (807) 627 9062
Jenna Young, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Director of Communications at (807) 625 4952.

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