[IPSM] March 2: Films about Canadian mining projects on Indigenous territories

[antoine libert]

As part of QPIRG-McGill's Revolutionary Film Fest...

:::MINING, LAND & INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' RESISTANCE ACROSS THE GLOBE:::
An evening of grassroots films and reflection on the effects of mining and 
"development" projects on Indigenous communities in Canada, Mexico, 
Guatemala and India. Presented by Alcan't In India, the Indigenous Peoples 
Solidarity Movement and the Social Justice Committee.

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Wednesday March 2, 7 pm
@ McConnell Building, Room 204, 3480 University St.
(McGill University campus, corner of Milton and University St.)
***********************

Presentations:

--> FROM KALINGA TO KASHIPUR
Presented by Alcan’t in India:

For the last 13 years, tens of thousands of indigenous and low-caste peoples 
from the Kashipur region of Orissa in east India have been fighting to 
prevent another massive industrial disaster.  A consortium of multinational 
corporations, including Alcan Inc. of Montreal, are proposing to build a 
massive bauxite mine and alumina refinery.  This project would displace 
between 20 000 and 40 000 people from their homes, destroying their economy 
and livelihoods, contaminating their food and water source, and denying 
their rights to self-determination and sustainment of their culture.  FROM 
KALINGA TO KASHIPUR was made by people in Orissa itself for a Canadian 
audience.  The film puts this issue in the larger contexts of imperialism 
and mega-industrialization.  Alcan't in India will also be
presenting a short film about the solidarity campaign that has now been 
running for almost two years in Montreal.
For more information about Alcan't in India please visit 
www.saanet.org/alcant or write to alcantinindia at yahoo.com


--> NIOCAN OFF OF KANIEN'KEHA:KA TERRITORY!
Presented by the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement (IPSM):

  For over 2 centuries, Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) people have been fighting 
for their self-determination and sovereignty. One of the most recent threats 
to the Kanien’kehá:ka community of Kanehsatake is Niocan, a Montreal-based 
mining corporation, which is seeking to develop a niobium mine site on 
unceded Kanien’kehá:ka Territory. Despite broad opposition to this project 
from Native and non-Native residents, Niocan plans to begin construction in 
Fall of 2005. As has too frequently been the case throughout the history of 
Canadian colonialism, the Kanien’kehá:ka community of Kanehsatake has not 
been consulted about this project, nor have they given their consent.   
Following an interview with a member of the Mohawk community of Kanehsatake, 
members of the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement will give a 
presentation about this project, including how people in Montreal can 
support efforts to keep Niocan off of Kanien’kehá:ka Territory.


--> INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN SAN MARCOS, GUATEMALA, STRUGGLING AGAINST A 
CANADIAN TRANSNATIONAL, THE WORLD BANK, AND THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT
Presented by Gloria Pereira-Papenburg from the Social Justice Committee

  A Canadian-based transnational corporation has started an open pit gold 
mine in the indigenous community of San Marcos, Guatemala.  This was done 
without the required previous and informed consent from the indigenous 
peoples that would be affected by the mining activities. The local 
communities are concerned about the use of enormous amount of water, the 
release of toxic substances, and the socio-economic impacts derived from 
gold open pit mining activities.
  For this event, the Social Justice Committee will be presenting a short 
film produced in Guatemala about this World Bank-funded mining project.


--> METALLICA RESOURCES INC., THE MEXICAN STATE, AND THE PEOPLE OF CERRO SAN 
PEDRO
Presented by Prof. Daviken Studnicki-Gizbert, History Department, McGill 
University

Metallica Resources of Canada plans to open an open pit, leach-pad gold 
mining operation in the vicinity of the city of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. 
Over the last years, Metallica has, with the aid of a string of highly 
placed Mexican politicians from the presidency to the regional level, sought 
to contour Mexican regulations and overturn legal injunctions to their 
planned operations. This presentation will provide a short overview of the 
struggle of the residents of the Cerro San Pedro and San Luis Potosi against 
Metallica and discuss where things stand at this point in time.



!!  qPIRG's REVOLUTIONARY FILM FEST is BACK!!

Get out of the cold...and into a warm room...sit back, CHILLAX and get ready 
for some *!REVOLUTIONARY FILMS!* throughout the frigid months of February 
and March.  All films are being show at McGill University's downtown campus. 
  If you need more information or directions to get to the films give us a 
call at 398.7432.

Film co-presentations by CKUT, trans/gender alliance, The Alfie Roberts' 
Institute, the Black Students' Network, Alcan't in India, Indigenous Peoples 
Solidarity Movement and the Social Justice Committee...

ALL ARE WELCOME....for more info check out ssmu.mcgill.ca/qpirg.


QPIRG-McGill
3647 University Ave., 3rd floor
Montreal, Quebec
Tel: 514.398.7432
Fax:514.398.8976
Email: qpirg at ssmu.mcgill.ca

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