| Statement
from Bay of Quinte Conference in Response to Failed Mediation Talks and
the Resulting Court Cases and Rulings in relation to the Robertsville Mining situation March 6th 2008 |
The Bay of Quinte Conference of the United Church of Canada is deeply disappointed with the termination of the mediation talks between a mining prospecting company and local First Nations peoples, and appalled by the sentencing of retired Chief Robert Lovelace and Chief Paula Sherman of the Ardoch Algonquians. The harsh sentences have rightly led to international criticism, and should be an embarrassment to our Ontario Government. We strongly support requests from many Municipalities including the Cities of Kingston, Carleton Place, Perth and Ottawa for an immediate moratorium on uranium mineral prospecting, exploration and mining in Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa River watershed until such time as settlement plans for native land claims exist and all environmental and health issues resolved. Furthermore, we strongly request the Ontario Government to enter into consultation with the Ardoch Algonquins and the Shabot Obaadjiwan Algonquins in regard to the use of land that has never been ceded and remains disputed land at this time. We would remind the government that this consultation is required by law and has never taken place. At this time we would also like to be on record as supporting the Shabot Obaadjiwan Algonquins, Ardoch Algonquins, and non-native “settlers” who have been charged with contempt of court by being present over this past year at the disputed mining site. We would note that the settlers charged are members of The United Church, and were there either as Christian Peacemakers or simply as settlers with a just commitment to First Nations land rights and to protecting their own land for future generations. We repeat our call upon the McGuinty Government to enter into immediate consultation with the Algonquins over the uranium mining issue at the Robertsville site as well as their outstanding land claim. * * * Approved by the Executive
of the Bay of Quinte Conference of the United Church of Canada, March
6th, 2008, at Kingston Ontario. |