[ The original poster of this article was the Canadian Environment Network
in Ottawa, Ontario. Their email address is "igc.org!web!cen". --Gary ]
** Topic: UPDATE: Old Man River Dam, Canada **
** Written 2:02 pm Nov 13, 1991 by igc:econet in web:en.announcements **
>From: Institute for Global Communications <econet>
Subject: UPDATE: Old Man River Dam, Canada
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 91 13:15:47 PST
From: NativeNet@gnosys.svle.ma.us
>From: web!cen
OLD MAN RIVER DAM UPDATE
The Lonefighters Society has always maintained the position that the
Federal Environmental Assessment process has failed to take into
consideration, adequately, all of the users and occupants of the region
that will be impacted by the the Old Man River diversion. They have failed
most particularly to assess the impacts on the Peigan peoples and our
traditional ways of living which are and always have been intimately
connected to our lands.
The current process fragments the various components and examines them in
isolation as though they are not inter-related.
These lands have been shown to be geologically complex and to contain more
than five cultural levels, with evidence of of occupation dating prior to
6,800 years ago according to Brian Reeves in a recent archaeological study.
Reeves claims that the historical record which can tell us how this
cultural apogee was achieved must be taken seriously.
Clearly the opportunity to have access to this cultural record will be
destroyed with the Peigan peoples way of life by the continued threat of
the Old Man River Dam.
Finally, in a report by Thomas Michael Power, chair of the Dept. of
Economics at the University of Montana, concluded that the most feasible
economic approach to the Old Man River Dam would be it's dismantling.
With the continued threat of this project looming large over the Peigan
People the Lonefighters Society is urging the immediate protest of the
federal Environmental Assessment process. We urge you to fax the federal
Minister of Environment and make your views heard and therby shine a light
on the flawed process that we are asked to trust our lives and, indeed our
very futures to.
Please send your fax message to:
Jean Charest, Minister of EnvironmentTom Siddon, Minister of Indian and
(819) 953-3457 Northern Affairs
(819) 953-4941
Old Man River Dam Project Lonefighters Society (403) 427-0812
(403) 270-2743