Ontario chief warns of another 'Ipperwash'

APTN National News
GATINEAU, Que.-A northwestern Ontario chief is warning of another “Ipperwash” and “KI” unless a mining company and the Ontario government include his community in gold exploration plans.

Naotkamegwanning First Nation Chief Warren White said plans by Houston Lake Mining to spend $10 million to “aggressively” drill for gold on the Ojibway’s traditional territory could lead to blockades unless the company and the province start talking with the community.

“If they don’t want to talk to us, there are additional measures that we will have to initiate,” said White. “This is the same situation as Ipperwash and the KI.”

The 1995 Ojibway occupation of Ipperwash provincial park in Ontario turned deadly after an Ontario Provincial Police sniper killed Dudley George.

KI refers to the northern Ontario First Nations of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug whose chief, four band councillors and one community member were sentenced to six months in jail for blocking an exploration company from entering their territory. The conviction was overturned after being deemed too harsh.

White said the company walked away from negotiations with his community four-and-a-half years ago, refusing to acknowledge the First Nations’ own laws on the environment. White said has repeatedly informed the provincial government of his community’s position, but the company keeps getting permits.

White said his community is not against development, but they simply want to benefit from the riches of their territory. He said his community wants to negotiate an impact benefit agreement.

Houston Lake Mining is based out of Val Caron, Ont., near Sudbury, Ont. The company could not be immediately reached for comment.

Naotkamegwanning First Nation sits about 94 kilometres southeast of Kenora, Ont.