Kenora Daily Miner and News

Provincial emissary visits Grassy Narrows

October 22, 2007 By: Mike Aiken

By all accounts, Frank Iacobucci’s initial visit to Grassy Narrows went very well.

Earlier this week, the provincial appointee spent time listening to community members and their concerns as he works to untangle a host of issues.

Ministry of Natural Resources spokesman Jolanta Kowalski described the trip as “preliminary discussions,” adding that they went “very well,” they were “well attended,”and that the community had been “very welcoming.”

Kowalski was speaking on Thursday, two days after Iacobucci’s meeting with the First Nation on Tuesday.

Community resident Joe Bill Fobister, who has been involved in the blockade at Slant Lake for many years, attended the meeting.

“I’m optimistic this will be something good,” he said. “I think it went well.”

Fobister noted the former Supreme Court justice paid close attention to what residents were saying, and it was possible the emissary might have more freedom to make recommendations than

government staff.

The roadblock was established close to five years ago as band members pushed their fight to protect their traditional territory to a new level. They continue to be concerned about incursions into their traplines, as well as the long-term effects of clearcutting.

Wood rights in the Whiskey Jack Forest have been a focal point since the shutdown of the Abitibi mill, as Kenora Forest Products is seeking permission from MNR to use fibre from the area to finance expansion plans.

Mill management remains confident their plans will proceed, as they continue to get pressure from a rising dollar, trade disputes and delays in provincial decisions.

No timeline was set for Iacobucci’s work. He was also a key figure in resolving the residential schools compensation issue.

The community has also been hard hit by long-lasting environmental damage from mercury contamination in the English River system.

Fobister added he didn’t feel the process would be successful, if it only dealt with forestry issues. There are also historical problems that need to be sorted out associated with treaty rights and resource revenue sharing, not to mention rebuilding the local economy following the devastation of the late 1960s.

One of the Treaty 3 chiefs responsible for lands and resources, Leon Jourdain, agreed with the assessment, saying there needed to be a broader approach taken to resource extraction and development in the region.

The Grand Council have developed their Resource Law, which sets out the conditions for partnerships with industry, including the recognition of the treaty relationship.