FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy has always been true to the
Two Row Wampum treaty which our ancestors made with the immigrant
nations to North America beginning in the 1600s. This agreement states
that we are separate nations and would never interfere in each other's
lives or affairs.
We feel, however, that this non-interference is no longer possible on
the part of the Hodenushonnee people. The continual contamination of the
water, air and soil within our Grand River Lands because of the persistent
toxic chemical wastes from the Uniroyal Chemical Ltd. site in Elmira is
causing a great harm to our people and neighbours in surrounding
communities. We consider the "clean-up" process proposed by Uniroyal --
to discharge two-thirds of the chemical wastes they produce directly into
the Canagagigue Creek (a tributary to the Grand) -- as an intentional act of
aggression against our nations.
For these and other reasons, the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy
Council of Chiefs have sanctioned us, the Hodenushonnee Environmental
Delegation, to do what is necessary to bring to an end such abuses and
violations of our national environmental rights.
We demand that the life-threatening Uniroyal contaminants be
completely isolated on-site as the ONLY acceptable first step towards a
responsible clean-up process. We also serve notice at this time that ZERO
is the only level of toxic discharge into the Grand and its tributaries that
is acceptable to the Hodenushonnee.
With the understanding, support and aid of the environmental
groups and people who live along the Grand River and abroad, we can
move to protect and save our Mother Earth as a heritage for future
generations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
HODENUSHONNEE ENVIRONMENTAL DELEGATION
KENNETH HILL
Firekeepers Delegate
phone number (519) 445- 2403
WENDELL FROMAN
Four Brothers Delegate
phone number (416) 765-0236
NORMAN JACOBS
Three Brothers Delegate
phone number (416) 765-2817