[IPSM] Press Release: Uranium exploration activities in Algonquin homeland

[mattm-b at resist.ca]

Press Release

December 2, 2008

Re: Uranium exploration activities in Algonquin homeland

Late on November 28th, the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation was advised that
Ontario, Frontenac Ventures Corporation, the Algonquins of Ontario and
Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation had signed a memorandum of accommodation in
regard uranium exploration in the Algonquin homeland near Ardoch, Ontario.

This memorandum of accommodation was signed while a consultation between
Ontario and the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation was still being developed to
insure a comprehensive and fair process. The present agreement represents
the colonial relationship that the Crown has had with Aboriginal people
for the last century and a half in which treaties and land sales follow an
extended period of intimidation, denial of responsibility, divide and
conquer, and outright illegal actions.  The history of this situation
speaks for itself.

Frontenac Ventures Corporation staked and registered mining claims in
2006-2007.  Ontario failed to notify and consult with the affected First
Nations.  Ardoch Algonquin First Nation was advised of the staking by
private land owners.  Ardoch advised Ontario of its obligation to
consult when development of this kind is anticipated.   Ardoch, advised
Shabot Obaadjiwan of the staking and Ontario's duty to consult.  When
Ontario refused to consult with Ardoch in good faith,  Ardoch advised
Frontenac Ventures to remove their personnel and equipment from the site
and Ardoch and Shabot secured the entrance to the land.  Ardoch repeatedly
asked for fair consultations which followed Supreme Court decisions to
take place between Algonquins and Ontario.   Frontenac Ventures Corp then
sued Ardoch and Shabot leadership for 77 million dollars and obtained
court injunctions which demanded the removal of Algonquin security and
permitted exploration activity to proceed.

The judge who issued the injunction refused to recognise the Algonquin
right to prior consultation and dismissed the Supreme Court rulings as
obstructing Frontenac Ventures rights under the Ontario Mining Act.  Robert
Lovelace, an Ardoch spokesperson, was sentenced to six months in prison
and fined $25,000 for continuing to demand fair consultations.  At
sentencing,
Ontario's Lawyer called for the harshest possible sentence to send a clear
message to other Aboriginal people who might choose to impede economic
development in Ontario.  Robert Lovelace was released from prison on May
28th  by the Ontario Appellate Court after serving three and a half months
in prison.  The Ontario Appellate Court found that the injunction was ill
advised, proper consultation had been denied and that Algonquin interests
had been trampled on.

When Shabot Obaadjiwan began to negotiate independently in June of 2008,
Ontario demanded that they bow to the failed injunction which called for
continued exploration and deep core drilling.  Shabot acquiesced because
they feared a renewal of prosecutions and because they faced court costs
of $109,000.  In addition, Frontenac Ventures continued a lawsuit of 77
million dollars against them.  Ardoch refused to bend over.  Ardoch's
position has been and continues to be, as the Supreme Court has
determined, that consultation must be fair and equitable; it must include
relevant research and real concerns, and it must not be influenced by
threats, coercion or inducements to individuals.  Ardoch has consistently
made this point to Ontario.  While our research leads us to believe that
exploration for uranium is potentially hazardous and may lead to open pit
mining which would devastate important ecosystems, disrupt cultural uses
and undermine the existing economy our starting point has always been to
hold Ontario and Canada to their legal responsibility to consult and
accommodate.

Even though we are of the opinion that exploration and mining for uranium
are not desirable we have asked for discussions that begin with the
understanding that a wide variety of possible outcomes should be considered,
including a resumption or abandonment of further exploration activity.
Ontario has continued to demand that the failed injunction permitting
drilling is the guiding principle of consultations and that no other
outcome can be considered.

Ontario's alternative would be for Ardoch to get out of the way or go
back to the barricades.  Ardoch has chosen to invite Ontario to continue
negotiations despite this impasse but has met with continued silence until
receiving a half-hearted response a week before the notification of a deal
with Shabot.

Uranium exploration in the Algonquin homeland near Ardoch, north of Shabot
Lake has already had adverse impacts.  Fragile ecosystems have now been
damaged.  Property values in the area have collapsed and the local tourist
industry is beginning to suffer.  The local community is distraught and
angry that government has not listened to them or valued their interests. 
Although Algonquin and non-Algonquin neighbours have found common ground
in protecting the land, this latest attempt at divide and conquer will
result in years of distrust and enmity.

The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation will continue to oppose exploration for
uranium and hold Ontario to their legal responsibility to consult and
accommodate in an honest and equitable way.

Migwetch,

Robert
Lovelace
Chief Negotiator on behalf of the Family Heads Council Ardoch Algonquin
First Nation