[Indigsol] Barriere Lake Solidarity: Some Clarifications Regarding the Current Situation at the Poigan Bay Area

[ipsm ottawa]

Hello All, Please find the message below from Barriere Lake Solidarity
Collective. Source: *
http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org/2012/08/some-clarifications-regarding-current.html
*

Some Clarifications Regarding the Current Situation at the Poigan Bay Area
<http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org/2012/08/some-clarifications-regarding-current.html>
<http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62r6XMpsYz0/UDMgie98rvI/AAAAAAAAATc/PshL3JgQloU/s1600/Poigan+Bay+logging+site+-+NM.jpg>

Conflicting information, some of it false, has been circulating regarding
the situation on the territory of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake. We ask
that those who wish to support the community be mindful of this, and be
aware that the situation is far from simple. As events unfold, we are
keeping in touch with a number of people from the community, including
those we have worked with over the last four and a half years.

At this point, after consultation with community members, we would like to
make a few comments which seem helpful.

Beginning on July 4, 2012, the main harvesters of the Poigan Bay area,
supported by the community, protested at the logging site against clear-cut
logging by Resolute Forest Products. After two weeks of maintaining
pressure against the company, they managed to get the government to agree
to protect sacred sites, moose habitat, and other significant areas, under
a process called “measures to
harmonize<http://www.scribd.com/doc/102023358/ABL-Measures-to-Harmonize-Process>”.


A faction of the extended family members of the main harvesters did not
want any forestry operation to proceed and decided to block the operations.
The forest company, Resolute Forest Products, then filed a legal injunction
to prevent the family members from disrupting the clear-cutting. The
company was then granted a second request to extend the injunction to
include anyone and everyone. This second injunction blocks the whole
community from taking any action that might protect the lands from forestry
operations over the coming weeks.

There have been incorrect claims made on Facebook and on the Toronto Media
Coop website alleging that community members “sold” land to Resolute and
that they did nothing to fight the injunction. The community is taking
whatever legal measures possible to fight the injunction, in fact, which is
extremely difficult, because they don’t have the financial means to defend
themselves and are raising money at the moment to support this cause.

For clarification on the demands of the Barriere Lake community regarding
Poigan Lake, please see an update from community member Tony Wawatie
*here<http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org/2012/08/clarification-from-barriere-lake.html>
*. Tony's father is the main harvester of the lands being logged.

It is important that MNR take further action to stop the damage that is
underway. Namely, MNR should release the
documents<http://www.scribd.com/doc/102099732/2012-07-19-Letter-to-Bruce-Byford>
it
agreed to provide to community members and implement the
<http://www.scribd.com/doc/102023358/ABL-Measures-to-Harmonize-Process?in_collection=3737963>measures
to harmonize process<http://www.scribd.com/doc/102023358/ABL-Measures-to-Harmonize-Process?in_collection=3737963>
in
a timely fashion, before other sensitive areas are destroyed. It will also
be important for there to be continued pressure on Resolute Forest Products
in the weeks to come. It is tragic that things have proceeded to this
point, though unfortunately not surprising.

We will post further updates as the situation evolves.




--

In Solidarity,
IPSMO
on unceded Algonquin Territory
--

Web Site: http://www.ipsmo.org
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ipsmo
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