| Grassy Narrows Headed for International Standoff | 07 March 06 |
 In a letter to logging giants Weyerhaeuser and Abitibi Consolidated, the Grassy Narrows First Nation has given notice that the "forced industrial invasion of [their] forest homeland" is going to be stopped. Grassy Narrows, which now has the backing of San Francisco-based Rainforest Action Network, said in their letter of notice to the companies: "Know that you face a fierce campaign against you on all fronts - in the woods, in the streets, in the marketplace, in your boardrooms and in the media."After a decade of failed negotiations, lawsuits, environmental assessment requests, public protests, and a 3-year logging blockade, Dave Sone of Rainforest Action Network says "This letter signals the beginning of a serious escalation of the struggle to protect Grassy Narrows." Weyerhaeuser points out that Abitibi controls the licence to the territory in question. Abitibi, in turn says the First Nation's concerns are a government responsibility. Indian Affairs Canada spokesperson Tony Prudori told Manitoba Wildlands that forest management and related Aboriginal rights are provincial jurisdiction. He added that Indian Affairs has provided Grassy Narrows with funding to facilitate their involvement in the logging process. Ontario government spokesperson on this issue, Shawn Stevenson, told Manitoba Wildlands that the forestry activity in question is in compliance with Ontario laws and regulations. He would not comment on the Crown's constitutional and fiduciary responsibility to ensure that clear cutting does not violate treaty rights, saying that issue is now before the courts. View the February 7, 2006 Grassy Narrows letter (PDF) View the Grassy Narrows release View the February 28, 2006 Rainforest Action Network article View the March 1, 2006 CBC article View the February 28, 2006 Globe & Mail article (DOC) Visit the Wake Up Weyerhaeuser website Sources: CBC, Rainforest Action Network, CP |
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