Mining & Indigenous Resistance: Sipakapa to Sharbot Lake with Special Guest Bob Lovelace

From: "Uranium News" <uraniumnews@mail.ccamu.ca
To: uraniumnews@mail.ccamu.ca

Wednesday February 4th, 2:00 - 4:00pm
Mining & Indigenous Resistance: Sipakapa to Sharbot Lake
with Special Guest Bob Lovelace
Room: Dunning Hall, Room 11 (Lower Level) - Queen's University, Kingston, ON

Film Screening and Discussion about the ongoing resistance of Indigenous communities, all over the world, to mining development.

The screening of Sipakapa No Se Vende/Sipakapa Is Not For Sale, a documentary chronicling the struggle of Maya communities in Guatemala to exercise their right to consultation about mining expansion into their lands, will be followed by a discussion about Indigenous resistance to mining in Canada, specifically the ongoing struggle of the Ardoch Algonquins to stop the development of a uranium mine on their lands This talk will be led by BOB LOVELACE, a Professor in the Department of Global Development Studies and the former Chief of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation.

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Protest Uranium Mine Exemption from Mining Act Reform

Anyone interested in going please message me.. maybe we can carpool or take a train...

I apologize for the late notice.


Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium, (CCAMU)
Call to Eastern Ontario municipalities, community groups, and concerned citizens to:
Protest Uranium Mine Exemption from Mining Act Reform,
Radisson Hotel Entrance, 1 Johnson Street,
Kingston, Ontaqrio,
Thursday, August 28th, 6 PM.

The Ministry of Mines and Northern Development is holding hearings on the proposed reform of Ontario's antiquated Mining Act. While we support restrictions on the "free entry" of mining companies and prospectors on land claimed by aboriginals and private land owners, we question why uranium mines should be exempted. Uranium mines pollute watersheds. The proposed mine in North Frontenac County, near Sharbot Lake, would adversely affect the Mississippi and Ottawa rivers. Twenty two regional municipalities, including Ottawa,Kingston and Frontenac County have voted for a moratorium on Uranium mining in Eastern Ontario. How many does it take for our government to act on our concerns?

It is hypocritical for the provincial government to claim federal jurisdiction on uranium whilst it has granted the permits to Frontenac Ventures for exploration and would collect revenues from these mines. In addition the Ministry of the Environment has charged Frontenac Ventures with multiple breaches of provincial environmental regulations. How do you grant the permits, collect the revenues, and regulate the operations if you have no jurisdiction?

We propose an information picket at the entrance to the hearings. Of course the event will be peaceful and non disruptive. Speakers, such as Bob Lovelace, and municipal representatives will voice their objections to the exemption of uranium mines. The 6 PM protest will include music and street theater.

Contact Information: Paul Gervan, gervan@sympatico.ca Tel: 613-387-3579

Saying no to uranium mining

The Perth Courier Editorial Aug 1st 2007

By now, most people in the Perth area are aware of the efforts of area native and non-native residents to prevent uranium from being mined in the Snow Road-Robertsville-Elphin area, northwest of Perth.

In the past, we have discussed the frighteningly uncivilized nature of the Mining Act, legislation that allows mining companies to march onto the private properties of rural residents and begin digging for minerals. If landowners don’t own the mineral rights, only the surface rights of their properties, this is perfectly legal.

We have published stories about one man’s efforts to bring attention to the act by publicizing what happened to his property in Tay Valley Township. Large ditches were dug on his property and when he expressed concern about the open holes and potential danger they posed, he was told that it was illegal for him to fill in these holes. Think about it: someone came onto his property, dug trenches, left them exposed and held outdated mining regulations over his head if he attempted to make his property somewhat safe again.

Out of the threat of such incidents recurring throughout the township, the Citizens’ Mining Advisory Group, or CMAG, was formed. Through the efforts of many, a number of mining claims against properties in the rich residential and cottage area surrounding Perth were abandoned. (This group will hold its annual meeting on Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. at the North Burgess Hall on Narrows Lock Road. The public is welcome and will likely find area candidates for this fall’s provincial election in attendance.)

Mining has again taken centre stage in this area, and this time, has received national attention. While the threat is not as much toward private properties in this case, it involves a sought-after end product that poses a potential greater risk to the health of those throughout the Ottawa Valley. It’s not about gaping holes on private property, but potentially deadly uranium.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on the matter, and now that the price being offered for uranium has rebounded, chances are those who see nothing but dollar signs will put up a strong fight against those who oppose such mining.

Uranium mining companies claim such operations are safe if they are carried out properly. But what happens if an accident happens? Do we simply say "oops" and try not to cry over a little spilled salt? We’re not mining salt here. "Oops" is not something anyone wants to hear.

A simple Internet search brings up far too many cases of how such mining has harmed Canadian communities.

Six stories have appeared in the Courier since April about the quest for uranium in the Crotch Lake area and those who are leading the charge to ensure this quest fails. Only the sixth and latest story offered the opinions of someone who came forward in favour of such mining.

Provincial governments on Canada’s east and west coasts have imposed moratoriums on uranium mining. When will Ontario and the rest of the provinces follow their lead?

If no such freeze on this type of mining is introduced in Ontario, mining might proceed in the Crotch Lake area, and possibly without incident. But is that a gamble we’re all willing to take? This area is all upstream of the City of Ottawa.

If something does happen, who is left to live in the shadow of a mistake?

Lawsuit, injunction hearing moved to September

By Gena Gibson, The Perth Courier August 1st 2007

The people who have camped out near Robertsville for more than a month say they won’t leave until Frontenac Ventures Corporation gives up its quest for uranium.

Lawyers for the Ardoch Algonquin and Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations met in Kingston court on Monday with Neal Smitheman, the legal representative for the uranium exploration company. The company has served the groups, their leaders and "unknown persons" with a $77 million lawsuit, and would also like an injunction to allow it to begin exploration on thousands of acres of land near Robertsville, in North Frontenac Township.

"Our position and stance haven’t changed," said Paula Sherman, who shares co-chief duties of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nations with Randy Cota. "We’re staying, anyway."

She said the injunction hearing is set for late September, but the company, and the judge who heard arguments on Monday, want to get together tomorrow (Thursday) to find a compromise.

"Our stance on that is they won’t have access here," Sherman stressed, pointing out that officials with Frontenac Ventures Corporation are concerned with losing financial backing for the project. "We consider that to be a ploy."

Sherman said the people, both native and non-native, who have blocked access to the property plan to stay until the provincial government resolves the issue of land jurisdiction.

"The hearing now is not to determine whose land it is," she pointed out, saying the judge would like to know what Frontenac Ventures can do that won’t compromise the land.

"We don’t recognize anything (that can be done)," she added. "Anything they can do leading up to exploration and mining (is not acceptable)."

She said the native community believes the $77 million lawsuit is posturing on the part of Frontenac Ventures.

The main issue, for Sherman and her group, is their claim to more than three billion acres of land for the Ardoch Algonquins. The Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations, under Chief Doreen Davis, are in the midst of a land claim that has gone on for years.

"We don’t need to use that process," Sherman explained. "We already have jurisdiction over our land.

"It was never ceded."

Sherman, who teaches aboriginal studies at Trent University, said the hearing in September and early October will have no bearing on what is happening at the potential mining site.

"They can just do the injunction, because our minds are not changing," she said. "The issue needs to be dealt with once and for all."

Many of the protesters lined Hwy. 7 in Perth on Saturday afternoon, handing out pamphlets on uranium mining to drivers. While most people were receptive, Sherman said, "There are a few who obviously don’t care that they’re going to be vacationing or living in areas with uranium contamination."

Smitheson did not return a call to his office yesterday (Tuesday).