| Mining Protest To End in Jail? | 08 February 08 |
 Members of a remote First Nation community in Ontario's Boreal Forest may face jail time for contempt of court charges over ongoing mining exploration disputes.Chief Donnie Morris and other members of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) have refused to comply with an October 25, 2007 ruling allowing Platinex Inc, a junior mining exploration company, access to land near Big Trout Lake. "This conflict could have been prevented if Ontario had taken a respectful "Conservation First" approach and implemented comprehensive land use planning before development in the Boreal Forest. An immediate cessation of staking is needed to allow the conflict to be resolved peacefully," said Anna Baggio, CPAWS Wildlands League. Laws promoting mineral exploration are outdated and up against modern appreciation of conservation values and First Nation rights and title. "Platinex seeks to jail our leaders and supporters and bankrupt our community," Chief Donnie Morris said. "I'm prepared to go to jail for my belief in my land." Justice Smith stated he would not deliver a sentence as of yet and a final hearing court date is expected to be set at the beginning of April. View January 24, 2008 Wawatay News article View January 25, 2008 The Chronicle Journal article View January 28, 2008 Mining Watch Canada article View January 25, 2008 CNW article Visit Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug website Visit Platinex website Sources: Wawatay News, The Chronicle Journal, Mining Watch Canada, CNW |
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