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ACTION ALERT: Petition to Stop Exploration in KI Homeland

URGENT: The Struggle for land, water, and justice in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI)

In December, God’s Lake Resources Inc., a Toronto-based mining company, that has staked claims on traditional Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) territory said they would begin exploration drilling this winter in areas that the KI First Nation believes to contain sacred burial grounds. Drilling may begin any day in the next few months. The community is asking for help to defend their lands and water.

What you can do:

1) Sign the petition at http://kilands.org/tell-mcguinty-to-respect-ki-sacred-landscape/ telling McGuinty to respect KI homeland. Other ideas for individuals and organizations to take action are at www.KIlands.org.

2) Email or call your local MP or write a letter to the editor expressing your public support and demand that the Ontario Government.

  • Ensure that God’s Lake Resources stops mining exploration on KI sacred landscape and that a joint panel process is set up to avoid future conflict.
  • Recognize and respect KI’s Water Declaration and Consultation Protocol and begin negotiations with KI on recognizing KI’s governance of the local watershed and resources.
  • Respect KI’s moratorium on all logging, mining exploration, and industrial activity unless and until there is agreement through the KI Consultation Protocol.

3) Join the facebook page: www.facebook.com/TorontoKISupport.

4) If you are in the Toronto area and are available to attend or spread the word about emergency actions in Toronto please email toronto.ki.actionnetwork@gmail.com.

    Background

    In 2008, KI fought to keep another mining company, Platinex, from exploring on their territory. The provincial government ignored their letter-writing, petitions, and direct action campaigns and so KI community members blocked Platinex’s access to the land. The chief and 5 other community members were sentenced to six months in jail for blocking company access. The provincial government has paid Platinex over $5 million to relinquish their claims in the territory. This transfer of public funds to a mining company may even encourage more companies to stake claims on KI lands, rather than protect the land, water, and people of KI.

    On July 5, 2011 KI announced they had adopted a Water Declaration and Consultation Protocol which rejects any industrial activity in the Big Trout Lake watershed, the heart of the territory, forever. The declaration received almost unanimous support in a community referendum and was brought into force as Indigenous law through a Band Council resolution along with a spiritual ceremony and blessings of the results.

    The KI Watershed Declaration applies to 13,025 square kilometres of boreal rivers, lakes, forests, and wetlands and asserts that this area is to be protected through KI care and authority. In the declaration, KI has called on supporters:

    “to recognize and respect this declaration. We call on you to fulfill your duty as treaty people to take action, under our direction, to hold your government accountable to respecting this declaration. Please stand with us as we assert and implement our Indigenous Laws and responsibilities. Together we can protect this sacred water for all people, all animals, all plants and all life.”

    KI has also declared a moratorium against all logging, mining exploration and development activity (including airborne exploration, claim staking and early exploration), energy developments, research projects and other activities that would affect KI traditional lands and resources outside of the Big Trout Lake watershed unless they have been agreed to through KI’s Consultation Protocol.

    The KI First Nation has accepted responsibility to protect this pristine area for future generations. This kind of wisdom, courage and leadership is almost completely absent at every level of our own governments. It is imperative that we support them in this struggle to take stewardship over their land and resources.