KI to hold referendum on key issues

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) is holding a referendum July 5 on two documents: the KI watershed declaration and the KI consultation protocol.
The watershed declaration will look at ways to protect water resources in KI territory and the consultation protocol will be used when dealing with outside developers looking to use lands or resources in KI’s traditional lands.
“Hopefully, our expectation is that the community will endorse those two documents so that will move us a step closer to asserting our jurisdiction on our lands,” said KI Chief Donny Morris. “I need to know what does the community see or feel or want. We can’t keep sitting comfortable like this.”
Morris is concerned that any situation in the future similar to the Platinex Inc. mining claim affair would not have the same outcome again.
“What we did was an opportune time for that,” Morris said. “But it will not work a second time, so we have to develop a different strategy to meet the incoming issue of companies.”
Platinex surrendered its mining claims and a lawsuit against KI in 2009 after reaching an agreement with the Ontario government. Platinex had originally laid mining claims and was beginning to drill for ore samples when KI prevented them from accessing the site. Morris and five KI members were sentenced to six-months in jail in early 2008 for contempt of court for breaking an October 2007 court order to allow Platinex to begin exploratory drilling at Nemeigusabins Lake. The group of KI members were released from jail after serving two months of their sentences.
“One of the topics in the watershed declaration is protecting our waters (rivers) that flow into Big Trout Lake,” Morris said.
KI recently held a community meeting to provide the Elders with information on the two documents, which are available in both English and Oji-Cree. The documents have also been sent out to any band members who live outside KI who requested them. Morris also spoke about the issue on YouTube to inform members and the general public. The YouTube video is posted on the KI website at kitchenuhmaykoosib.com.
Morris said the feedback he has received to date indicates community members are interested in supporting the two documents.
“But our target here is our youth because we really don’t know where they are standing on those two issues,” Morris said. “Myself, I listen to the fact that they want jobs. They e-mail me, they call me, they come here.”
Morris said the community is looking at different economic opportunities that do not involve mining.
“But right now we just do not have the mandate from the community to explore these options,” Morris said. “Once the watershed declaration is supported, that will give me ammunition to start dialogue with the Ontario government.”