[IPSM] First barricades up near Sioux Lookout] (fwd)

[Jaggi Singh]

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [J30] first barricades up near Sioux Lookout
From:    mike_leitold at riseup.net
Date:    Thu, April 7, 2005 10:17 am
To:      j30 at lists.resist.ca
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Hey. FYI. The message below from Krista went out over NOII.  Neecha and
Gary drafted the call for support from the Grassy Narrows people below it
and sent it out last night.  It's a call for support from Grassy
specifically, but you get the idea.

----- Forwarded message from K Johnston <kristarj at yahoo.ca> -----

Hi everyone,
I just got a call from Neecha saying that the first barricade has gone up
between Sioux Lookout and Savant Lake.  From the sounds of it, folks
needed to act quickly so they're in desperate need of fundraising,
supplies (especially a satellite phone &/or high powered walkie talkies,
but also food, water, tents, etc.).

Neecha will likely be heading up next week, so if folks have anything to
contribute, maybe we can talk about getting some stuff to her before she
leaves.

I will keep folks posted if I hear anything further.  Maybe this could be
discussed at next week's NOII meeting...

Best,
Krista

***************

Here's a letter setting things out a bit

April 6, 2005

Booshoo Friends from Grassy Narrows;

We invite you to stand together with us in solidarity for Mother Earth and
for our people.  We feel the need to protect our natural environment for
future generations from exploitation, excavation, harvesting, and resource
depletion.  The women of Ojibway Nation of Saugeen and Mishkeegogamang
First Nation are leading the way.  They have set up at an entrance to our
traplines, a tipi and tents, to put themselves on the line to protect our
land and waterways from further environmental damage to the ecosystems.
We need your help to unite for the same cause, and make our stand and our
voices stronger, and come together as one.

This damage is coming from the Ministry of Natural Resources, without the
full consent or approval of the First Nations inhabiting these traditional
territories and waterways.  The forestry and resource companies, like
Bowater, Buchanan, and many other corporations, are clearcutting our land
and mining the earth.  This damage has global implications - it will
further devastate our livelihood and traditional cultures, identities and
the clearcutting of these forests affects the earth, leading to increased
global warming and ecosystem destruction.

We welcome you to come and join us in our fight, as we share a history,
and it is your stand that has inspired us to take a stand.  Now that we
are in the same situation as the people of Grassy Narrows and other First
Nations, we are starting to recognize the trials and tribulations that the
people of Grasssy Narrows experienced, and the big obstacles and
challenges that face you still today.  We ask that you support us in any
way you can, especially by using your powerful network of allies and
global supporters to spread the word about our struggle to survive.

In unity we stand strong, proud, and free.

Neecha Magotte Wassaykeesik Dupuis and Gary Wassaykeesik