Matawa chiefs greet Chilean visitors

A group of indigenous people and government representatives from Chile recently discussed sustainable mining issues with seven Matawa First Nations chiefs.
“It is amazing how much our First Nations have in common with other indigenous peoples around the world,” said Eabametoong Chief Harry Papah. “They are dealing with similar issues in their territories, even with some of the same mining companies that we have here in northern and northwestern Ontario, including Goldcorp Inc. and Barrick Gold Corporation. It helps to share information and strategies.”
Along with Papah, the Chilean delegation met with Aroland Chief Sonny Gagnon, Constance Lake Chief Roger Wesley, Ginoogaming Chief Celia Echum, Long Lake #58 Chief Allan Towegishig, Nibinamik Chief Johnny Yellowhead and Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse on Aug. 20 in Thunder Bay.
During their visit, the Chilean delegation shared an emotional moment with their hosts after the opening drum ceremony concluded, with one delegate beginning to cry.
“I visited the Maori in New Zealand earlier this year and I think I know how they feel,” Yellowhead said. “I felt overwhelmed meeting the other keepers of Mother Earth when I first met with the Maori. That is what we are, the keepers of Mother Earth, and when we meet, it is significant.”
Yellowhead said the Maori are at a more advanced stage in their negotiations with the New Zealand government than the Matawa communities are.
“They were more successful in terms of getting their land back,” Yellowhead said.
Maori guests also visited the Matawa chiefs in early August during the Matawa AGM in Webequie.
“I am glad we are having this meeting and also the meeting earlier this month with the Maori,” Wesley said. “Industry and governments continue to move ahead in our territories without appropriate consultation and accommodation or consent. The more we meet with other indigenous peoples, the less we feel alone, and the more empowered we feel.”
Wesley believes indigenous people around the world are coming together in a global movement to exercise their rights according to the United Nations Charter.
“It can only make us stronger,” Wesley said. “We feel the bond of our connection to the land and of our cultures.”
Yellowhead said one of the Chilean delegates said indigenous people are the keepers of the land and they need to act on what they were given by the Creator.
“From hearing the Elders when I was a kid, they used to say that people are going to come to our territory and destroy our land, the rivers, the fish,” Yellowhead said. “We need to strategize to protect our land.”
Yellowhead said his community already has concerns about the results of mining in one particular area, where changes have been found in the fish and moose.
“From our perspective, that is an issue,” Yellowhead said. “We need to look into these kind of steps that are arising.”
Yellowhead said he has been telling government that they need to listen to First Nations people and work together.
“In order to work this out, they need to see our side of things, what we go through,” Yellowhead said. “Right now, when you look at First Nation communities, we’re living like in the Third World. We have lack of housing, we have poor infrastructure.”