FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sault Ste. Marie, ON, July 8th, 2009- Matawa First Nation Chiefs joined by Robinson-Superior First Nation Chiefs, are speaking out about recent decisions made by the province of Ontario regarding the Kenogami Forest, that they say can jeopardize economic opportunities and create environmental issues for their communities.

Two years ago, Buchanan Forest Products Limited, proposed the construction of four logging camps North of Highway 11. The Land Use Permits sought for the logging camps, would allow up to forty trailers to be housed at each site for a period of ten years.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is now indicating through the media that the proposal will not be subject to an environmental assessment as requested by the Matawa First Nations, meaning the company can build the camps “as long as it meets a handful of conditions, including a requirement to consult with native groups led by the Matawa Tribal Council.”

Matawa First Nations Chief Executive Officer, David Paul Achneepineskum, says; “This handful of conditions actually includes the development of monitoring schemes, compliance measures, and renewal treatment programs. None of which have been developed at this point”. The Matawa First Nations have submitted a request to the Ministry of the Environment to ensure that they are meaningfully consulted, with respect to every aspect of the Land Use Permits, including the development of compliance and remediation plans.

Constance Lake Chief Arthur Moore says; “First Nations Chiefs are opposed to out of province workers building these camps and then taking jobs away from First Nation communities and other towns in the region”.

Also tied to this issue is the lack of payment to First Nation contractors in the Kenogami Forest by Buchanan Forest Products. Chief Pierre Pelletier of Red Rock First Nations says; “First Nations should be paid for wood delivered to the mills.” Recently, Ontario gave several million dollars to Terrace Bay Pulp for road maintenance contracts, none of which has yet gone to First Nation contractors for services rendered in and around the Kenogami. Pelletier says; “Both of these issues show that the Buchanan Group of Companies, including those under bankruptcy protection, are interrelated and they are using this structure as a means to thwart creditor’s attempts to collect the debts owing to them”. Meanwhile Chief Paul Gladu of Bingwi Neyaashi says; “Ontario must focus on providing opportunities to First Nations, and not hope license holders do it out of their own good will, the province must work directly with First Nations in regard to their duty to consult and accommodate”.

All of the Chiefs in the region agree that the First Nations have to take control over the forest license. Gull Bay First Nation Chief Wilfred King says “First Nations people – regardless of treaty area, must jointly take charge of the forest license to ensure economic opportunities and environmental concerns are met to First Nations”.

Despite requests and continued lobbying by the Matawa and Robinson-Superior First Nations, communities continue to be excluded from any meaningful consultation in regional developments affecting the Kenogami Forest and other forests. Decisions to approve permits such as the logging camps, and roads payments are routinely made before any consultation has taken place. Consultation requires that the First Nations affected, be provided with an opportunity to have their concerns and job opportunities addressed prior to any decision being made. The decision to approve the Land Use Permits for the logging camps was made by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of the Environment before any meaningful consultation had even taken place. Long Lake # 58 First Nation Chief Allan Towegishig says; “First Nations have Treaty and Aboriginal Rights to harvesting, hunting, fishing, and using the land in the territory of the Kenogami Forest …we need to protect our land for future generations.”

Whitesand Economic Development Officer Clifford Tibishgogesig, along with Achneepineskum express that First Nations want to work with the province, to arrange a First Nations Forest License that would include all of the First Nations in the Matawa and Robinson Superior Treaty area. They say such a license “would be very beneficial for not only First Nations communities, but for all of the people in Northwestern Ontario as well”.


For further information please contact:
Amanda Bay- Communications Officer
Firedog Communications
T- (807) 767-4443 ext #223
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