KI moves to protect waters, garners support

Rick Garrick
Wawatay News
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug welcomed the support of the Council of Canadians and two environmental groups for the KI Watershed Declaration.
John Cutfeet, KI spokesman and former band councillor, said the community is grateful for the recognition received by the social justice organization.
“It must also be recognized that these lands, waters and resources have sustained and continue to sustain societies and nations who have lived on these lands since time immemorial,” Cutfeet said.
In a July 7 press release, the Council of Canadians said the KI Watershed Declaration shows the wisdom and courage needed to preserve the planet for future generations.
“This declaration is a beacon of hope,” Maude Barlow, national chairperson, said. “The community is putting the needs of their children and future generation ahead of short term profit.”
KI’s community members voted 96 per cent in favour of protecting their entire watershed from all industrial activity during the July 5 community custom-based referendum. The KI Watershed Declaration applies to 13,025 square kilometres of lakes, rivers, forest and wetlands in the community’s homeland, including Big Trout Lake’s 661 square kilometres.
The KI Watershed Declaration stated that all waters that flow into and out of Big Trout Lake and all lands whose waters flow into those lakes, rivers, and wetlands, are declared to be completely protected under KI’s authority, laws and protocol.
No industrial uses, or other uses which disrupt, poison, or otherwise harm KI’s relationship to these lands and waters will be permitted.
The community also voted to approve the KI Consultation Protocol, which sets out how consent will be given prior to any decision being made affecting KI’s lands and resources.
“The KI Watershed Declaration and the KI Consultation Protocol will give us a new mandate to foster dialogue with governments and corporations and as well as open up new opportunities in the areas of economic development, environmental sustainability and off-reserve issues,” said KI Chief Donny Morris in a July 6 press release.
Barlow said while individual Canadians may put the needs of their children and future generations ahead of short-term profit, Canadian society as a whole behaves like they are the last ones that will have to live on the planet.
“Our own political leadership couldn’t care less about what happens after they are gone,” Barlow said. “The Watershed Declaration is a great example that we can all learn from and we must incorporate the wisdom that created it into our own decisions before it is too late.”
The Wildlands League commended KI for its long principled stand on protecting its lands and waters so their children and grandchildren can continue to use the lands and resources to pursue their usual vocations of hunting, trapping and fishing.
“We call on governments and industry to recognize the declaration and protocol, and to enter into dialogue with the community,” said Anna Baggio, director of conservation land use planning with the Wildlands League.
Earthroots, a grassroots conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of wilderness, wildlife and watersheds in Canada, also called for Premier Dalton McGuinty to respect KI’s decision to protect their water.
“Far too many First Nations communities are forced to suffer from industrially contaminated water sources,” said David Sone, forest campaigner with Earthroots in a July 6 press release. “Earthroots fully supports this visionary decision by the Elders, citizens, and leadership of KI First Nation; a decision that will benefit all Ontarians. We call on Premier McGuinty to act swiftly to recognize and respect KI’s decision to protect their water and, if necessary, we will take action with KI to help defend their life-giving watershed.”
Cutfeet noted the provincial government’s development of Safe Drinking Water Act legislation after the Walkerton Inquiry.
“If Ontario can recognize Walkerton’s right to access safe drinking water, why would it be difficult to recognize KI’s Aboriginal constitutionally protected right to clean and safe drinking water,” Cutfeet said.
A Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs spokesman said the ministry takes KI’s concerns about land and resources very seriously.
“Ontario respects Aboriginal and treaty rights and is committed to meeting the province’s constitutional and other obligations in respect of Aboriginal peoples,” said Scott Cavan, senior advisor with the Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “Our government is committed to a meaningful relationship with KI and is hopeful that we will continue to move forward with the community, strengthening our relationship based on mutual respect and co-operation.”
Cavan said the ministry will undertake a review before further comments are made.
An Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada spokeswoman said the provincial government regulates developers’ licenses and permits so any questions would be best addressed to that level of government.
“The government of Canada does take consultations and obligations seriously,” said Margot Geduld, spokeswoman for AANDC. “We will consult with Aboriginal groups should a federal activity have an adverse impact on an Aboriginal or treaty right.”
Cutfeet said the community is scheduled to continue with its mapping exercise in mid-July on traditional uses of the land, as described by traditional users of the land.
“They talk about where they had hunted, where they had trapped, where they had stayed – just the uses of the land they have had over the years,” Cutfeet said.