Protest camp built on proposed site of Sisson mine project

Members of Maliseet First Nations havestarted tobuild a protest campat the proposed site of the Sisson mine nearNapadogan.

Tents, campers, and other homemadestructureshave been set up in hopes of deterring future development of a proposedtungstenand molybdenum mine.

"I am aWulustukyik grandmotherand I am here defending the land," said Terry Sappier, who has been living in the camp most of the time sinceit was built July 2.

"I'm defending it forourfuture generations."

On Mondayafternoon,there were a half dozen men, womanand children at the campsite as part oftheWulustukyik Nation Grandmothers and Mothers group.

Many were working to build additional structures, including a shower station, as the group plans to live in the remote location "for as long as it takes."

"There's nothing that would make us approve this mine," saidSappier, the only person at the camp who would speak on camera. "If I agree to the project then I'm denying the next seven generations the right to use this land, and I would be taking away theirinherentright that they are born with."

Last month, theminewasgivenenvironmentalapproval from Ottawa. If constructed, the open pit mine and ore-processing facility would be expected to operate for 27 years with a projected cost of $579 million.

Division over accommodation agreement

Sisson Mine Ltd. projects the creation of500 jobs during theconstructionof the facility with 300positionsoperating during the mine's lifespan.

In February, six Maliseet First Nations agreed to the Sission mine deal,includingTobique, Kingsclear, Woodstock, Oromocto, St. Mary's and Madawaska. Theaccommodation agreementwould see 9.8 per cent of generated revenue from the provincial metallic tax shared among the six groups. It would also include:

• $3 million upon federal environmental approval of the mine.
• 35 per cent of the first $2 million the province receives in royalties each year.
• 3.5 per cent of annual royalties above $2 million.

Despite theaccommodationagreement, many from the First Nations groups, including those at the protest encampment, have distanced themselves from thedecision.

"I don't think that thechiefshave a right to consent to a project that would infringe on the future generations of our people," said Sappier.

CBC News made several attempts to speak with leaders at the six First Nations involved in the Sisson mine deal, but those calls were not returned.

Outside support

Despite the protest camp beingconstructedin a remote area, the inhabitants are gettingsupport from people who can't make the trek or withstand the harsh conditions.

"[The protesters]are very passionate about saving our land and our water," saidRon Tremblay, the grand chief ofWolastoq. "I call them'the protectors.'"

Tremblayhas alwaysmaintainedthe land was sacred regardless of recent deals with the mining company and theprovincialgovernment.

"These people are at the forefront," said Tremblay. "And they've done it before."

Tremblay said theGrandmothers and Mothersgroup was responsible for negotiating inthe best interests ofFirst Nations people in regards to the continued placement andmaintenanceof theTobiquedam.

"Thetraditionalgrand council ofWolastoqfullysupportsthegrandmotherswho are protecting our land and our water fromfurther devastation,"said Tremblay. "They are good people."

"We're getting support for all our communities," said Sappier. "And as long as we have that we'll be good."