Algonquins reject court process in uranium dispute

Two First Nations communities being sued for blocking potential uranium development at a site in eastern Ontario have told Premier Dalton McGuinty they are quitting the court process and won't leave the area even if ordered to do so by a judge.

Instead, the Ardoch and Shabot Obaadjiwan Algonquins say they want the government to intervene in thedisputebetween themselves andthe mining exploration company Frontenac Ventures Corp.

"While we respect the Ontario court system and the rule of law, we cannot inure to the court in this case and will not be proceeding any further with the court process as it relates to Frontenac Venture's motion for an injunction against us," said a letter sent to the premier late Tuesday.

The letter, signed by Shabot Obaadjiwan Chief Doreen Davis and Ardoch Co-Chief Paula Sherman, called for the government to impose an immediate moratorium on uranium exploration in the area near Sharbot Lake, about 60 kilometres north of Kingston.

"Uranium exploration threatens the land and thus our health, well-being and cultural survival," the letter read.

The Algonquins also asked theprovince to negotiate with their First Nations governments regarding the use, management and conservation of the site, which they say consists of ancestral lands that they never surrendered to the Crown.

They proposed a meeting between provincial, federal and First Nations officialsduring the week of Aug. 20at their protest camp in North Frontenac Township.

"Ontario's failure to take appropriate and timely action has led to the current unfortunate circumstances, and we look to the Government of Ontario to take swift action to resolve this matter outside of the courts," the letter read.

The disputed siteinvolves mainly property considered to be Crown land by Ontario, which granted mineral rights to Frontenac Ventures.

The company launched a $77-million lawsuit against the Algonquins in July and is seeking a court order to remove protesters from the entrance to a site.

Court hearings took place two weeks ago but a judge has yet to make a ruling.

The Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation is in land-claim negotiations with the federal and provincial governments regarding the disputed area.