Thunder Bay News Source

Grassy Narrows vetos clear- cutting

January 17, 2007

A northwestern Ontario First Nation has declared a moratorium on all industrial activity within its territory without its permission.

The move by the Grassy Narrows First Nation is aimed at preventing an increase in clear-cut logging in the territory north of Kenora. Grassy Narrows spokesman Joe Fobister says the moratorium doesn't have any legal weight, but is a strong statement that clear-cutting is hurting the Aboriginal community.

Fobister says they hope this will prompt the provincial government to stop the practice that he says is disrupting Aboriginal trap lines. The moratorium call comes as a Grassy Narrows blockade enters its fifth year of denying logging trucks access to community territory via Highway 671.