Note: Its very important to read up all news releases and articles so you see what is being said and thought by people who issue them. Information is power, misused can cause alot of distruction, used right it can protect you. it also shows the road its heading what story is covered So stay alert and stay tuned
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Ontario Legislature Hansard -Question Period May 6, 2008
Mr. Howard Hampton: To the Premier. Premier, last week in a letter to
prominent Ontarians regarding the jailing of First Nation leaders, you
indicated your government was pursuing, "strong and positive
relationships with First Nations." Yet I want to quote your
government's lawyer. When the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug leadership
were sentenced, he said, "I'm suggesting a financial penalty that
hurts ... the very fact that it will hurt means that it's the
appropriate penalty." Premier, are crushing financial penalties to
impoverished First Nations like Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug the basis
of your new "positive relationship" with First Nations?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty: The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Hon. Michael Bryant: As the member is aware, the government has made,
and continues to make, a number of efforts to avoid the incarceration
of Chief Morris and council. As the member knows from reading the
transcript, the Attorney General's agent opposed incarceration. In
fact, it was the Attorney General who brought a motion to expedite the
appeal, which is before the courts.
But in any event, I'm happy to recognize that significant efforts have
been made to try and resolve this. We will continue to try and resolve
this, as we are seeking solutions to try and come to an agreement, not
only to find a solution in KI, but across the province.
Mr. Howard Hampton: You haven't answered the question, but I do have
the transcript from the sentencing hearing. What's interesting is the
McGuinty government's lawyer doesn't argue that jail is wrong. He
says, "Jail is not the appropriate remedy because it allows them to
portray themselves as martyrs. Your honour, it allows them to portray
themselves as martyrs."
My question again: Is this the reality of the McGuinty government's
positive relationship with First Nations? You wanted a sentence that
would "hurt the First Nation," but you didn't want a sentence that
would allow them to portray themselves as martyrs. Is that the
reality? Because that's what the court record shows.
Hon. Michael Bryant: First, the member stood in the House and
suggested that it was the government of Ontario that had jailed First
Nations, and he was wrong. Then he suggested that, in fact, the
government somehow was advocating for incarceration, and he was wrong.
Now the tactic is, "Let's attack the crown. Let's go through the
transcript and attack the crown." The bottom line is, the Attorney
General opposed incarceration, period. The Attorney General is, in
fact, supporting the appeal, period. If you want to look at the
transcript, we have the unusual situation where defence
counsel—counsel to chief and council—in fact says, "I'm in the odd
position whereby the crown says, 'no incarceration,' and I find myself
supporting incarceration." In fact, defence and crown attorney opposed
incarceration. That was the position, that is the position and that
will be the position. We will continue to pursue a resolution outside
of these courts in order to achieve justice in KI.
download the whole transcript from KI website ,Chief and Council link
Mr. Howard Hampton: To the Premier. Premier, last week in a letter to
prominent Ontarians regarding the jailing of First Nation leaders, you
indicated your government was pursuing, "strong and positive
relationships with First Nations." Yet I want to quote your
government's lawyer. When the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug leadership
were sentenced, he said, "I'm suggesting a financial penalty that
hurts ... the very fact that it will hurt means that it's the
appropriate penalty." Premier, are crushing financial penalties to
of your new "positive relationship" with First Nations?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty: The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Hon. Michael Bryant: As the member is aware, the government has made,
and continues to make, a number of efforts to avoid the incarceration
of Chief Morris and council. As the member knows from reading the
transcript, the Attorney General's agent opposed incarceration. In
fact, it was the Attorney General who brought a motion to expedite the
appeal, which is before the courts.
But in any event, I'm happy to recognize that significant efforts have
been made to try and resolve this. We will continue to try and resolve
this, as we are seeking solutions to try and come to an agreement, not
only to find a solution in KI, but across the province.
Mr. Howard Hampton: You haven't answered the question, but I do have
the transcript from the sentencing hearing. What's interesting is the
McGuinty government's lawyer doesn't argue that jail is wrong. He
says, "Jail is not the appropriate remedy because it allows them to
portray themselves as martyrs. Your honour, it allows them to portray
themselves as martyrs."
My question again: Is this the reality of the McGuinty government's
positive relationship with First Nations? You wanted a sentence that
would "hurt the First Nation," but you didn't want a sentence that
would allow them to portray themselves as martyrs. Is that the
reality? Because that's what the court record shows.
Hon. Michael Bryant: First, the member stood in the House and
suggested that it was the government of Ontario that had jailed First
Nations, and he was wrong. Then he suggested that, in fact, the
government somehow was advocating for incarceration, and he was wrong.
Now the tactic is, "Let's attack the crown. Let's go through the
transcript and attack the crown." The bottom line is, the Attorney
General opposed incarceration, period. The Attorney General is, in
fact, supporting the appeal, period. If you want to look at the
transcript, we have the unusual situation where defence
counsel—counsel to chief and council—in fact says, "I'm in the odd
position whereby the crown says, 'no incarceration,' and I find myself
supporting incarceration." In fact, defence and crown attorney opposed
incarceration. That was the position, that is the position and that
will be the position. We will continue to pursue a resolution outside
of these courts in order to achieve justice in KI.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pakane
On April 30, 2008, Crissy Swain along with fellow
members of Grassy Narrows First Nation will begin
the 1,850 km trek on foot from Kenora to Toronto
in an attempt to bring attention to the continued
destruction of Mother Earth, and in particular to draw attention to what is happening within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek in Northern Ontario.
http://meeting.knet.ca/moodle/course/view.php?id=135
Platinex offers its side of the story
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=105481
LAO MAY 1, 2008
(look under aboriginal rights)
Despite Strahl's message that the Canadian government is supporting First Nations in Canada, the minister's office refused to let any aboriginal representatives from Canada sit inside the room where the press conference took place. First Nations chiefs were turned away at the door and had to watch Strahl speak on a TV monitor outside, the CBC's Neil Herland reported.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/05/01/un-strahl.html
Grassy Narrows, Anishinaabe Territory - On April 30, 2008, Crissy Swain along with fellow members of Grassy Narrows First Nation will begin the 1,850 km trek on foot from Kenora to Toronto in an attempt to bring attention to the continued destruction of Mother Earth, and in particular to draw attention to what is happening within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek in Northern Ontario.
http://media.knet.ca/node/3822
Platinex Obtains Board and Regulatory Approval on Acquisition of Shiningtree Gold Property
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2008/01/c3927.html
Hundreds of ducks die in oilsands tailings pond
Matawa CEO says Platinex didn't make courtesy call
http://tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=107239
The remote northern Ojibwa-Cree community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) has been embroiled in a legal dispute that has resulted in six band members being jailed. This tiny, beleaguered community has raised serious concerns about the way mining exploration is being conducted on Crown land they have used for traditional hunting for centuries
http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Blizzard_Christina/2008/04/30/5425961.php
The Minister for Northern Development and Mining, Michael Gravelle was questioned in the legislature by NDP Leader Howard Hampton on Monday on the subject of a statement from the Matawa First Nations issued on Friday
http://netnewsledger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=505&Itemid=26
Manitoba First Nations support KI
http://grassrootsnews.mb.ca/article.php?article_id=109
Unity Rally in support of KI-6
view more photos from rally
http://www.johnb.smugmug.com/gallery/4785926_VYEKS#284149957_jJX88
“They are political prisoners that have the fortitude and conviction to make the sacrifice necessary for what they believe in,” said Angus Toulouse, Ontario Regional Chief. “The government and industry need to understand that we will no longer be trampled upon and run roughshod over.”
http://storywordspics.blogspot.com/
Also earlier in the week, it was announced that Platinex was granted new mining claims by the McGuinty Liberal government, for over 71,000 acres, as a reward for their unethical business behaviour. That, of course, came as a big surprise to the leaders of the new communities that have to deal with Platinex.
http://cameronholmstrom.blogspot.com/2008/04/first-nations-first-hear-of-new.html
visit his blog site for more
First Nations say the first they heard of new claims was through media
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local.php?id=105890
Pakane
http://www.kitchenuhmaykoosib.com/id54.html
Matawa First Nations Response to New Platinex Mining Claims
http://netnewsledger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=479&Itemid=26
Matawa chiefs disappointed over lack of consultation
http://tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=107131
Time to update Ontario's Mining Act
http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080424.wdrohan0424/GIStory/
Stop mining without consent or face protests: chiefs
Platinex fights back on mining development
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local.php?id=105439
Native leaders in Ontario have been pushing the government to change the province's mining laws to better protect their interests when companies explore for minerals on their traditional lands.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080424.NATS24-2//TPStory/National
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitchenuhmaykoosibhomeland/
Hampton to McGuinty: Place Aboriginal rights ahead of mining
http://ontariondp.com/node/1999
The statement delivered by the Canadian government yesterday to the United Nations Permanent Forum (UNPFII) on Indigenous Issues was a grave disappointment to the Indigenous representatives attending the UNPFII’s special session on climate change
You'd think that being faced with this kind of support for these leaders that the McGuinty Liberals might give in a bit. Sadly, the best that they have done so far is offer $200,000 toward the legal fees of the jailed leaders and stated a willingness to do more if they decide to appeal their convictions. That falls far short of doing what the can do, and just shows that they are only willing to pay lip service to Aboriginal rights in
http://cameronholmstrom.blogspot.com/2008/04/stephen-lewis-margaret-atwood-and-group.html
NDP Leader Howard Hampton condemned the McGuinty Liberals for awarding Platinex Inc. 72,000 acres of new mining claims in Northern Ontario.
“It’s outrageous that the McGuinty Liberals awarded Platinex new mining rights to 72,000 acres of land while leaders from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) continue to languish in jail,” said Hampton.
http://ontariondp.com/node/1995
The song sagatayBTL is now available to be downloaded you can burn it off to a CD or transfer to your IPOD or MP3 player
follow the directions as it tells you in downloading
it is available on KI mainsite
A group of about 30 elders, faculty, staff and students at Lakehead University started a fast on Monday hoping to educate the community about the situation and provide support for six Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug band members in jail on civil contempt charges. The group pledged at 8 a.m. Monday morning not to eat for 24 hours.
http://tbsource.com/localnews/index.asp?cid=106935
Musicians, authors and actors call for release of jailed aboriginals leaders
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2008/04/21/5346566-cp.html
read the macleans article on this story
http://www.macleans.ca/canada/wire/article.jsp?content=n042124A
peaceful rally outside the Vallaha Inn where
the Northern Ontario Prospectors Association were holding their 2008 Northern Ontario Mines and Minerals Symposium
Thank you to Mark Nui Grand Chief Innu Nation for signing the petition
Please help free the KI-6 from prison, starting with the immediate release of the only woman and grandmother, Cecilia Begg, followed by the five men.
Sign here to show your support and help us free the KI-6 from prison.
click this link to sign petition
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/freeki6/
There is a feeling of irreversible momentum growing in the KI6 campaign.Non-aboriginal support is growing in Toronto and across the country. Amnesty International is engaged. All the major environmental
organizations are engaged. The major trade unions are issuing statements of support. Momentum is growing for a major rally in Toronto in May
http://www.kifriends.org/2008/04/irreversible-momentum.html
The AFNQL Declares its Support to the Six Political Prisoners, Members of the KI Band
http://www.cnwtelbec.com/en/releases/archive/April2008/15/c5773.html
NEW video on KI website
Kenora MP Roger Valley continued to push for the release of Cecilia Begg this week.
After a visit with her at the jail, Valley said Begg was still holding strong and in good spirits, even though the great-grandmother’s been isolated from the other five band councillors being held in contempt of court.
“She’s as tough as any of them,” he said.
“I’m proud of her, but she should be in her own community,” he added.
http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/News/394070.html
Deer Lake First Nation raised over $1,600 during a walk-a-thon April 12 in support of jailed Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug leaders
http://www.wawataynews.ca/node/13018
Aboriginal Affairs
http://inthehouseandsenate.blogspot.com/2008/04/without-honour.html
Local Group to Fast for KI-6
http://netnewsledger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=408&Itemid=26
Anishinabek Nation taking part in rally
http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=990069
Friends and supporters from Red Sucker Lake Manitoba arrive (April16) as KI members greet and welcome them to KI
K.I. lead Councillor welcomes and thanks Red Sucker Lake First Nation Chief and presents a Welcome and Thank you for your support cake during dinner
KI prepared a special dinner for the guests, greetings were exchanged during the dinner
It seems that one First Nation's crisis is another's opportunity. Mining companies are making deals in record numbers with Ontario First Nations.We have deals with Liberty Mines in Wabun, Escape Gold in Bearskin, Richview Resources in Mish and no doubt many others flying under the public radar screen. Good for them. All First Nations should have the right to know and
decide on a project. But do all these deals help resolve the underlying issues between First Nations and the Crown that are at stake in KI? In a word, no.
from www.kifriends.org
http://www.kifriends.org/2008/04/lets-make-deal-into-meeting-rooms-and.htmlhttp://www.escapegold.com/news_.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnrp.ccnmatthews.com%2Fclient%2Fescape_gold%2Frelease_xml.jsp%3FactionFor%3D841624
http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=987412&auth=Xavier%20Kataquapit
NEW UPDATE ON KI WEBSITE CONCERNING THIS TOPIC
Stay tuned for more news today on this topic
kitelecom and KI mainsite will follow story on this new development as it develops
Looks like NAN(the organization) is returning to the Northern Table. Unfortunately the return is under the shadow of division. While a resolution to suspend talks may have passed in a strictly technical sense, there was no consensus and that real division will make progress at the negotiations table difficult, if not impossible
www.kifriends.org
April 3/ news release
THUNDER BAY, ON, April 3 - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy announced today a unanimous decision of support for Kitchenuhumaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) leadership by NAN Chiefs-in-Assembly and the decision by NAN to suspend bilateral discussions with the Government of Ontario regarding lands and resources until the immediate and unconditional release of KI Chief and Council currently serving a six month jail sentence.
http://www.nationtalk.ca/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8145
from www.samuelmckay.myknet.org
April 9th, 2008 from
We had a conference call yesterday discussing the appeal with our lawyer. We want out of jail but not just for the sake of getting out of jail. How we resolve this is crucial in settling the groundwork in dealing with First Nation issues in the future. The way I see it, we are at a crossroad in KI’s history. We have to make a choice in how to proceed for future generation. We are at the same important crossroad as when our elders signed the Treaty in 1929.
I am not making a negative judgment on our elders who signed the Treaty at the time because they did the best they could with the knowledge they had back then. They also signed a document in English, a language they could not read or understand. In their teachings, our elders encouraged us to uphold that treaty and to always continue to have a peaceful and respectful relationship with the Ontario Government for ‘as long as the sun shines and as long as the grass grows…” (That’s a direct quote from the Treaty of 1929 and it is on many of our billboards).
Because of our relationship as a Treaty partner, we thought we would live in friendship and co-habitation in sharing the land with our Treaty partner. A two-way partnership.
But obviously, from the Ontario Government’s persective: the Treaty simply meant that we surrendered everything except what is within the small boundaries of the reserve.
But that wasn’t our perspective when we signed the Treaty. And it is these two perspectives that we are living right now.
In 1929, our leaders thought the Treaty was in the best interest of our people, at the time and for future generations. I certainly don’t blame them for the decision they made back then.
But now this Treaty is coming to a head. We are sitting in jail as a direct result of the government’s interpretation of that Treaty. They really do believe that we simply surrendered everything.
I had a frank discussion with Phil Fontaine when he visited us on pushing a Memorandum of Understanding between First Nations and the mining industry.
Interestingly, in his home community of Saugeen First Nation in
But in KI, we have a choice. We still have pristine water, land and animals. We don’t want to jeopardize this with the potential of our lake being drained for an open mine pit. Yes, we know, sooner or later pollution and global warming will catch up to us and we may no longer have pure water, trees and animals. At that time we can look at other options such as open pit mine. But that’s not up to us to decide right now, it will be up to future generations.
We are not looking for a perfect solution to this problem just the best decision for the future of our community. That is our mandate, right now as leaders of our community. And that is why I am sitting in jail: to protect our future.
for Chief and Council Prayers and thoughts
are given to the K.I. community
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local.php?id=103289
Hereby I would like to inform you that I've written two newsarticles on my
blog about the KI6.
I am a freelance journalist, living in Amsterdam. Although I write in Dutch,
you will see that people can follow a link to sign the petition to free the
KI6.
If possible, please let them know there case is not unnoticed even in the
Netherlands!
The adress of my blog is:
contact: Thunder Bay working group
807-626-9339
Coordinator: 624-7212
Advisor/Supporter: 627-4827
TBTV covered the rally
channel 14 on local cable - playoffs are on and TBTV late news not on
click this link to view story and video clip
http://www.tbtv.com/News-Story.aspx?cid=106544
http://www.andreecazabon.ca/blog/
And do not be mistaken this is not Guantánamo Bay (pictures) this is in Canada in the province of Ontario
|
While Mr. Martin and the senators were debating the issue, one provocative native leader was in town vowing a novel approach to raise the stakes.Chief Terry Nelson of Manitoba's Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation had a meeting scheduled yesterday with the Venezuelan embassy in Ottawa.Mr. Nelson said he was submitting a direct request to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for political and financial support to Canadian native communities that are in legal battles over resource rights. He noted that six native leaders from the KI First Nation in northwestern Ontario were recently jailed because they could not afford financial penalties, nor could they afford further legal battles, in their attempt to block access to mining prospectors on traditional lands. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080408.wnatives09/BNStory/National/home
Freeing the KI-6 -- "..Not how it works.." Bryant |
| Tuesday, 08 April 2008 | |
| The issue of Aborginial Rights was raised at Queen's Park during Question Period. Howard Hampton, the NDP leader questioned Minister Michael Bryant asking the Minister why he has not moved to free members of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Band who are in jail under contempt of court convictions. Bryant, scolding the NDP leader stated that if it could be done, he would do it. Here is the unedited exchange: |
ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS
Mr. Howard Hampton: A question to the Premier: Yesterday, I visited Cecilia Begg, a 58-year-old great-grandmother from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, who is in jail because the McGuinty government favours mining interests over aboriginal and treaty rights. Can the Premier tell us what public interest in Ontario is served by jailing, for six months, a 58-year-old great-grandmother?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
Hon. James J. Bradley: You know that's not true, Howie.
The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The Minister of Transport.
Hon. Michael Bryant: With all due respect to the court, I'd say there's no public interest that is in fact met by incarceration under these circumstances. That's why the crown took the position that incarceration should not take place, and that's why the attorney has indicated support for any appeal upcoming, which we do anticipate. We think it's important that these matters are resolved at the negotiating table and not through litigation and certainly not through contempt incarceration orders.
Mr. Howard Hampton: The minister should know that the message that has been received by First Nations is that if they oppose mining exploration or mining development, then what very well may happen to them is that they may go to jail. It's happened to Cecilia Begg. It's happened to five other leaders from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. It's happened to the leadership of Ardoch First Nation. That's the message that's being received by First Nations. It seems to me that if the McGuinty government is serious about changing that message, then it's necessary for the McGuinty government to commit today to the immediate and unconditional release of Cecilia Begg and the other First Nation leaders who have been jailed because they oppose mining development in their territory. Is the McGuinty government prepared to do that-y es or no?
Hon. Michael Bryant: As one former Attorney General to another, you know very well that that can't be done. If it could be done, obviously I'd just pick up that key and I'd put it in the cell and open it up. But he knows very well that that's not how it works. I wish he would stop trying to tell the public otherwise because in fact, that former Attorney General knows very well that the crown opposed incarceration, that the crown supports the appeal and that the government of Ontario does not support the incarceration of First Nations leaders, period. Stop telling people otherwise
http://netnewsledger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=334&Itemid=26
Jailed Leaders are political prisoners in a G8 democratic state
http://www.firstperspective.ca/fp_combo_template.php?path=20080407editorial
Liberals defend Ontario's trade mission to China
Clark says the recent dispute between the K.I. First Nation and Platinex Inc. is an isolated incident which shouldn't hamper mining exploration activity in the long run
http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=106504
Justice Patrick Smith sentenced KI Chief Donny Morris, Deputy Chief Jack McKay, Head Coun. Cecilia Begg, councillors Sam McKay and Darryl Sainnawap and band employee Bruce Sakakeep each to six months in jail for contempt of court March 17.
In civil contempt cases involving relations between private citizens, the intended victim of the act of contempt is usually the party for whose benefit the ruling was implemented, rather than the court itself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_court