Band opposes clear cutting on their traditional lands

BY PHILIP PAUL-MARTIN
FOR THE FIRST PERSPECTIVE

Grassy Narrows First Nation, Ontario-The community of Grassy Narrows has erected signs and blockaded access to their traditional lands in Treaty #3 area to prevent further clear cutting by the timber giant Abitibi. The band cites its loss of use of their traditional lands as the primary reason establishing the blockade.

The decision to erect a blockade, say band members, was made in early December after it became apparent their concerns were being ignored. A letter writing campaign directed at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Abitibi failed to elicit a serious response.

The patch of forest that is in dispute is within Abitibi's forest management area but also lies in Grassy Narrows traditional territory.

Initially about forty band members participated in the blockade and shift work has been necessary to maintain it. Temporary living quarters have been set up for blockade participants.
The site itself remains under observation by the Ontario Provincial Police.

Band member Steve Fobister Sr. says that's fine.

"They (the police) have declared that the band has operated within the confines of the law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that our demonstration has been peaceful. They are doing their jobs and we understand that. They drop by to see that the laws are being respected."

The blockade has garnered support from the Okiijiidaa Traditional Warrior Society of Anishinabe as well as the Christian Peacekeeper Team, who say they represent 10,000 churches across North America and have pledged to keep at least one member on site until the blockade is no longer necessary, according to documents forwarded to The Messenger.

Grassy Narrows band member Steve Fobister Sr. says that the blockade is the culmination of years of being ignored by the mills.

"It's a form of environmental racism what they are doing. I think we are going to be at this for a long time. So many extractions have been made of our land over the years and the only return we have gotten is welfare for our people. These mills have given us only pollution in return. We've yet to achieve justice."

The contamination of their water source by the mills has been a significant problem for over four decades, said Fobister.

"We have numerous people in Grassy Narrows who suffer from neurological problems and over 75% are diabetic. Our natural protein source has been contaminated by mercury, which is in all of the fish. What are we to do now?

"The clear cutting is just another way for us to die. Our people can't use the land. How much are we to give? We have had enough. If we are to die on our land then we are going to die with dignity protecting what Mother Earth left us. People never understood us in the first place. Our land is our flesh and bone and when she dies, so do we."