Grassy Narrows First Nation on alert for logging

The AsubpeeschoseewagongFirst Nation (Grassy Narrows)is on alert for logging trucks to come in April 2014.

Grassy Narrows is the home of thelongest running First Nations blockade in Canada. Itsoriginal Slant Lake blockade site, about 100 kmnorth ofKenora, Ontario, started on December 2, 2002.

Judy DaSilvais a member of Grassy Narrows First Nationand has been on the forefront right from the start.

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As a mom, Ill do whatever I can to protect the forests, pretty much the other moms around here have the same mindset, said DaSilva a mother of five with concern for the future generations.

In 2002, DaSilva was tired of seeing mercury debilitate her people, watching logging trucks pass by her home and took action.

As a mom, Ill do whatever I can to protect the forests, pretty much the other moms around here have the same mindset.- Judy DaSilva

Last year, DaSilva won a Michael Sattler Peace Prizefrom the German Mennonite Peace Committeefor her non-violent direct-action approachin the blockade at Grassy Narrows traditional territory,within the Treaty 3 region.

Logging halted for over 11years, but in the past few months things are picking up once again.

Clear-cut logging plans persist

In December 2013, Ontario'sMinistry ofNatural Resourcesfinalized and approved a 10-year Forest Management Plan (FMP), originally introduced in 2011.

Under this plan, there are no planned harvest blocks located within the Grassy Narrows self-identified traditional land use area, said Minister David Orazietti in a statement on November 6, 2013.

Oraziettisassurances contradicted what Grassy Narrows saw in theFMP.

Grassy Narrows has beenrejectingthe plan, citing a lack of duty to consult andclear-cut logging on their traditional territory.

The ministers statement is false, and completely misrepresents Ontarios plans for another decade ofclear-cutlogging on our territory against our will, clarified Chief SimonFobisterin amedia release on November 7, 2013.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed to CBC by e-mail on January31stthat clear-cut logging would start on April 1st.

Calls for the Ontario government to retract plans

When I heard of these [logging]plans, I had a really sick feeling, the industry speaks louder than our people, I thought Kathleen Wynn understood our situation, it shows a complete disregard, said DaSilva.

Premier Wynne, it is within your power to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated at the expense of another generation of Grassy Narrows children, said Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister in a December 23, 2013 media release.

I call on you to intervene this hurtful plan and to ensure that never again will Ontario attempt to force decisions on our people and our lands, said Fobister.

Fobister and otherTreaty 3 chiefs took their concerns to Queens Park in Toronto on Thursday, January 30.

A duty to consult

They [province] continued to move forward and we all have concerns that the duty to consult was not appropriately [met] said Treaty 3 Chief White in an interview with CBC inThunder Bay.

It means money to them, but to us we are thinking about the watershed, wildlife, and how logging will affect ourAnishinaabeway of life, it not only affects usAnishinaabe, it affects us all, Canadians too.- Judy DaSilva

MNR said it was meeting its duty to consult.

(FMP) has consciously attempted to respect the on-going discussions between Grassy Narrows First Nation and MNR within the Process Agreement, said Jolanta Kowalski, senior media relations officer with MNR.

DaSilva and supporters are aware that the recent suite of omnibus bills introduced by the Harper governmentwill pose new challenges.

Challenges ahead

It means money to them, but to us we are thinking about the watershed, wildlife, and how logging will affect our Anishinaabe way of life, it not only affects us Anishinaabe, it affects us all, Canadians too, said DaSilva.

Grassy Narrows and DaSilva says the MNR plan disregards aboriginal, treaty, and inherent rights. They say those rightsare whatprotectaboriginal peoplesability to sustain community through traditional land use practices, including, fishing, hunting, trapping, medicine picking, and ceremonial use.

Alegacy of mercury poisoning

People in Grassy Narrows havebeenBaypoisoned by mercury for over 40 years.20,000 poundsof mercurywas dumped into the Wabigoon River-English River system by an upstream paper mill, Dryden Chemicals Inc.,which had permission from the province to freely dispose of chemicalsbetween 1962 to 1970.

People inGrassy Narrowshave developed neurologicalMinimatadisease from eating contaminated fish. The disease can causeblurred vision,tremors, lack of motor control, seizures, and children born with cerebral palsy, according to a report..

The community is especially concerned that when logging starts, the mercury levels will rise.

DaSilva saida rallyis planned in Toronto in Augustbut is uncertain of what will happen when the logging trucks come intwo months.

With files from CBC Thunder Bay.