[Indigsol] Logging proceeds w/o consent on territory of Alongquins of Barriere Lake

[ipsmo at riseup.net]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Logging proceeds without consent on territory of
Algonquins of Barriere Lake

Resolute Forest Products, formerly Abitibi Bowater, logging land that
includes sacred grounds

http://ipsmo.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/logging-barriere-lake/


July 9, Poigan Bay, QC – Resolute Forest Products, formerly known as
Abitibi Bowater, began cutting last Tuesday on land of the Algonquins of
Barriere Lake without proper community consultation or consent. The
logging is taking place near Poigan Bay, Quebec, on land that includes
sacred grounds and important moose habitat, according to community
spokesperson Norman Matchewan.

In a letter sent to Premier Charest on July 4, elder Gabriel Wawatie
states: “As one of the main harvesters, I was not properly consulted nor
provided a written consent to this logging within our territory.”

Despite the lack of consultation, the Ministry of Natural Resources office
in Maniwaki issued permits for the logging to take place.

Wawatie’s letter continues: “This clearly demonstrates your ministry’s
lack of respect of the highest court ruling on the duty to consult and
accommodate First Nations,” referring to the Supreme Court ruling on Haida
Nation vs. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. “Therefore we are
requesting that you cease logging operations in our territory.”

Last month, in a recent provincial court case, the same forestry company
(Resolute Forest Products, formerly known as Abitibi Bowater) attempted to
sue one of the youth leaders of Barriere Lake, Norman Matchewan. Vincent
Larin, from the Maniwaki Ministry of Natural Resources office, issued two
cutting permits for the same logging site (cutting block) in Barriere Lake
territory that also included sacred sites. Fortunately, the forestry
company lost their court case when the foreman contradicted his original
statement and got caught lying on the stand.

In recent years, the community of Barriere Lake has resisted numerous
resource extraction projects slated for their land. Most recently, members
of the community confronted mining company Copper One at the company’s AGM
in Montreal, opposing their mining exploration on Barriere Lake territory.

###

Contact: Norman Matchewan, 819-435-2171


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Barriere Lake Solidarity
Solidarité Lac Barrière
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www.barrierelakesolidarity.org
www.solidaritelacbarriere.blogspot.com
barrierelakesolidarity at gmail.com
514.398.7432