Buckdog: Six Aboriginal Leaders JAILED For Resisting Mineral Exploration On Their Ontario Reserve!

Monday, March 31, 2008

Six Aboriginal Leaders JAILED For Resisting Mineral Exploration On Their Ontario Reserve!

Let's see now ... it is the 21st Century but Canada is still jailing aboriginal leaders for trying to protect their treaty lands. The courts are supporting Platinex Inc. (PTX):

"It's hard to believe, but in 2008 -- in Canada -- the government is placing people in jail for their political beliefs.

During the past week, six leaders from the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation in Northern Ontario were sent to jail for six months for contempt of court. The six include Chief Donny Morris, four band councillors and a band member.

The "KI Six" fought against mineral exploration in their traditional territory only to be faced with an injunction that they refused to recognize. We haven't seen anything like this in Canada since the Northwest Rebellion of 1885." [...] "This action has sparked outrage in Indian Country and Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine called it "shameful" to see a chief and his band councillors jailed for defending their rights. Anglican Archbishop Fred Hiltz was highly critical, calling it a "throwback to colonialism."

Meanwhile the KI Six are incarcerated at the Thunder Bay Provincial Jail. Protests and a vigil have been held outside the grounds. A sacred fire was lit, but it was doused by the fire department, adding to the tension."
Doug Cuthand
-Regina Leader-Post

-Anglican Church criticizes jailing of First Nations members
-Canadian Mining Journal

-So .. in Ontario ... dealings with First Nations people look like a page out of the 1800's!

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-Why not send a message to Liberal Premier, Dalton McGuinty to tell him that you do NOT agree with the jailing of the 'KI6'
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posted by leftdog at Monday, March 31, 2008 | Permalink

Dalton won't do a damn thing. Bob Lovelace is still in jail for standing up for his native right concerning the proposed uranium mine at Sharbot Lake.

The Algonquins and settlers there even canoed and marched (canoes and all) to Parliament Hill, and then Dalton's office, but he wouldn't even meet with the First Nations.

Sure, write him, he should be told, and told, and told, but it will take more than that to get either the feds or provinces to start respecting Native rights.

Posted by 900ft Jesus | 11:02 am, April 03, 2008