Kenora Daily Miner and News

Grassy Narrows blockaders bring message to Kenora

June 6, 2007 By Mike Aiken

Supporters of the Grassy Narrows blockade brought their message to Knox United Church in Kenora on Tuesday..

“We just wanted to give Kenora people a chance to ask questions first- hand,” said Roberta Keesick. More than four years after the initial roadblock was set up, the protest has become a symbol for First Nations fighting for their treaty rights. Speakers from the community explained how they’d had their territory flooded for hydro-electric development, then polluted by mercury contamination and finally clearcut for logging. “It’s like we’re pushed right against the wall,” said Grassy Narrows resident Judy Da Silva. The issue of outstanding land claims and consent for resource development has become a hot topic for politicians at all levels. As the deadline nears for a national day of action, scheduled for June 29, there is movement on a wide range of long- standing issues. In Kenora, they found attentive ears from community leaders such as Coun. Rory McMillan, police chief Dan Jorgensen, foresters from Abitibi and mill manager Rod McKay of Kenora Forest Products.

McMillan noted the city’s involvement in the Common Land, Common Ground initiative, including the reclamation of Tunnel Island and Old Fort Island, as well as research projects on

systemic racism in the justice system. Council is also embroiled in a debate at the regional level with members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, after it refused to pay fees for the Common Voice until First Nations were on board. “I have the privilege of working with a council that is very committed to relationship building,” McMillan said. Sitting across the room, McKay was equally interested in finding a resolution to the issue. Kenora Forest Products has applied for the cutting rights to the Whiskey Jack Forest, where the blockade is taking place. They want to get the rights, so they can finance a $30-million expansion, which could add 50 jobs in the plant and 200 in the woodlands. However, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay has said the province needs to resolve issues surrounding “certainty of supply,” before awarding the rights. Ramsay has been in close contact with Treaty 3 Grand Chief Arnold Gardner in recent weeks, in hopes of finding an answer. Jorgensen also acknowledged his self-interest, noting the collision of cultures has an impact on his policing costs. He also wanted to have a better understanding of the issues, in case the demonstrations spill over into his jurisdiction. Blockade supporter Joe Bill Fobister said he wanted two things: recognition and respect. He added the community had followed the proper processes for years, before finally resorting to the roadblock in an effort to stop the destruction of forests by clearcutting. Da Silva went a step further, saying she wanted to see resource development ended. After so many years of devastation, she wanted to see non-native people gone from their territory, so they could enjoy the land in peace. Da Silva also emphasized they had pledged to use non-violent means to back their message. Dalles resident Charles Wagamese listed the many efforts aboriginal people had made over the years to join in the mainstream economy, including agriculture and forestry, only to be set back by invisible barriers. These obstacles included government policies and prejudicial practices, and he called upon those assembled to find a better way. “As human beings, we’re capable of more than that,” he said. McKay noted he’d seen many different harvesting methods used in his career, but would be forced to use clearcuts by MNR. For their part, the ministry has consistently said their regulations have been vetted by international experts, and they include the controversial logging practice.