Tell Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty: Respect Native Land Rights Now!

Without consent or consultation, God's Lake Resources Inc. trespassed on Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) lands in northern Ontario and is threatening to drill on a sacred KI burial ground. The KI community is saying NO to God's Lake Resources, just as the community opposed mining exploration by Platinex in 2008 and De Beers in 2010.

It’s important that we stand with the KI. Not only has the Canadian government repeatedly chosen to ignore Indigenous communities' right to free, prior, and informed consent when it comes to industrial and extractive industries operating on their lands, but it has actually sought to press criminal charges against Indigenous leaders who stood up for their communities’ rights. Find more info and view a video message from KI Chief Danny Morris.

Tell Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and his Minister of of Northern Development and Mines, Rick Bartolucci, to respect the KI community’s rights and stop God’s Lake Resources from mining the KI’s land.

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear Premier McGuinty,

After jailing six Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) leaders, including Chief Donny Morris, your government promised to build a respectful relationship with KI to avoid further conflict. I was shocked to read about the recent desecration of the KI sacred landscape by a mining exploration company under permits issued by your government, even after your minister was notified of the presence of sacred burials in the area. How does this help repair an already damaged relationship?

This entire episode is extremely discouraging coming from a Premier who has claimed to be building a new relationship with First Nations and the environment. Ontario’s harsh dealings with KI have damaged, perhaps irrevocably, the image of Ontario amongst people of conscience. To repair this image, immediate actions should be carried out to take full responsibility for what has happened and to change course.

KI has governed the watersheds that are at the core of KI culture since time out of memory. Now KI has shown the way forward by clearly articulating a sound vision for the future of their lands and resources that benefits both KI and all Ontarians. Ontario should respect KI’s leadership.

I join many others in calling on you to:

1. Ensure that the God's Lake Resources mining exploration project in the KI sacred landscape stops immediately, and a joint panel process begins promptly to respectfully protect the sacred landscape, and avoid future conflict. Additionally, a full investigation should be carried out, and the government officials who allowed this project to begin should be held accountable.

2.  Recognize and respect KI’s Water Declaration and Consultation Protocol. Begin respecting KI's Water Declaration by immediately giving the watersheds protection and commencing negotiations with KI on the recognition of KI's governance of the watersheds.

3.  Respect KI’s moratorium on all logging, mining exploration and industrial activity unless and until they have been agreed to through KI’s Consultation Protocol.

I will continue watching this situation closely, and I will continue to take action to ensure that KI’s Declaration and Protocol are recognized and respected by all governments and corporations.

Sincerely,

Rick Bartolucci

Ontario Minister of of Northern Development and Mines

Dalton McGuinty

Premier of Ontario

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