First Nation Solidarity Working Group Updates

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  1. STOP LINE 10 – Speaking Event October 5, 2017
  2. Aamjiwinaang Toxic Tour, October 1, 2017
  3. Call-in Action: Clanmothers of Treaty 3 and Treaty 9 to Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: Stop spraying the land
  4. Reportback from Six Nations Kahnostaton Reclamation Site
  5. Get involved!

1. STOP LINE 10 – Speaking Event October 5, 2017

Toxic Enbridge pipelines are poisonous black snakes on the land and water. Enbridge has begun work on its controversial plans to significantly expand the capacity of its Line 10 pipeline to carry tar sands bitumen.

The National Energy Board’s decision to allow this does not respect the sovereignty of Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples in the area. It does not serve the long term health safety, and wellbeing of the people, land and water.
Come learn about efforts to stop Line 10 and how you can support the struggle.
Speakers:Donna Powless (Six Nations of the Grand River)Myeengun Henry (Thames of the River, elected Chief of Chippewa of the Thames)Todd Williams (Six Nations of the Grand River)

Join us October 5, 2017U of T Faculty of Social Work Building (SK)ROOM 720246 Bloor St. West

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/120206288644558/?active_tab=about

** Accessibility information about the venue will be provided in the next few days. If you have specific accessibility requests or questions contact cupe3903fnswg@gmail.com **

2. Aamjiwinaang Toxic Tour, October 1, 2017

For the third consecutive year, members of FNSWG are attending and endorsing the Aamjiwinaang Toxic Tour. We encourage members of 3903 to attend and learn about the Chemical Valley and its impact on Aamjiwinaang First Nation. Volunteers may be needed to help with cooking and marshaling the event—if you are interested in volunteering, contact cupe3903fnswg@gmail.com 

About the Toxic Tour: Aamjiwnaang First Nation is located in the middle of Sarnia’s Chemical Valley, the most polluted place in North America, according to National Geographic. The reserve is encircled by over 73 high-emitting facilities such as petrochemical refineries and various factories. The toxic operations and regular chemical releases are poisoning people in the community which faces high rates of asthma, cancer, miscarriages, stillbirths, and endocrine disruptions.

The fact that an Indigenous community is being sacrificed for corporate profit and nothing is being done to protect community members is a clear sign of Environmental Racism. We can do our part by learning about this situation and supporting the grassroots groups raising awareness and trying to stop further contamination of the community’s people and territory.

The Toxic Tour is an opportunity to see and experience first-hand the pollution that Aamjiwnaang First Nation community members experience every day. The pick-up in Toronto will be by Christie Pitts Park, at the north-west corner of Bloor and Christie.

Pick-up time is 8am, arriving back around 10pm. Snacks will be provided on the bus. Lunch and dinner will be provided by ASAP at the Toxic Tour.

More info at the Aamjiwnaang Solidarity page: https://aamjiwnaangsolidarity.com/2017/03/31/aamjiwnaang-water-gathering-toxic-tour-2017/

Facebook event for the Toxic Tour and Water Gathering: https://www.facebook.com/events/507660926252833/

Register for Toxic Tour: https://aamjiwnaangwatergatheringandtoxictour2017.wufoo.eu/forms/zq0i65207xotgb/

Reserve a spot on the bus from Toronto: Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toronto-buses-to-the-toxic-tour-of-chemical-valley-new-dates-tickets-37769942916

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/674937892703377/ 

3. Call-in Action: Clanmothers of Treaty 3 and Treaty 9 to Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: Stop spraying the land

****Support the clanmothers, call OMNR NOW!****

Clanmothers to OMNR: Stop spraying the land: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3QQ67D_RgM&feature=youtu.be

Clanmothers, grandmothers, and municipal townships  of Treaty 3 and 9 traditional territories are standing up against the aerial spraying of land which poisons the blueberries, bears, amphibians, bees, plants and people. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry continues to spray an ‘herbicide’ that is an evolution of Agent Orange, from the air, over the land that they have clearcut, in order to kill plants that would get in the way of the trees they will take for profit.  The Indigenous families of the Treaty 3 and 9  traditional territories have always picked blueberries, as a yearly tradition.

“This is the natural food and this is what we do to sustain ourselves. This is how we live under the natural law.” Darlene Necan says, holding a pail of berries she has just picked.

ONTARIO, let’s call it like it is. Aerial spraying of the land is CHEMICAL WARFARE. Poisoning traditional food is an ACT OF GENOCIDE.

Call Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Sioux Lookout District : 807-737-5051 and 807-737-5026

Call and say you are in support of the clanmothers and blueberry pickers of the Ojibway Nation of Saugeen no.258, who are demanding there be no spraying on the land. Ask that all aerial herbicide spraying be immediately cancelled and no longer used as a forestry practice in treaty 3 and 9 traditional territories.
Phone calls earlier this season successfully stopped spraying in certain areas of Treaty 3 and 9. The more, the better. Phone call support from southern Ontario is being requested.

Media contact: Darlene Necan 807-344-4439

Clansmothers and grandmothers of the Treaty #3 and no.9 traditional territories have been standing up against the spraying for 15 yrs. They are in support of elders of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Elders Group Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation and any other groups speaking against the spraying.

For more info: 

Battling for blueberries http://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/local/battling-for-blueberries/article_76abb29a-3664-11e5-a760-7f83062790bf.html

Elders oppose spraying in Northern Ontario Forests http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/07/26/elders-oppose-spraying-in-northern-ontario-forests

In Northern Ontario, herbicides have indigenous people treading carefully and taking action https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/in-northern-ontario-herbicides-have-indigenous-people-treading-carefully-and-takingaction/article33088274/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&

4. Reportback from Six Nations Kahnostaton Reclamation Site

Kahsenniyo Williams, an activist from Six Nations of the Grand River will be attending the CUPE 3903 GMM this Wednesday, September 27 to present an update from the reclamation site and more information and requests for solidarity from CUPE 3903.

5. Get involved!

To get involved in FNSWG email cupe3903fnswg@gmail.com or check back on the 3903 website and newsletter for updates for the next open meeting (October, date and time TBD).