On February 4th, 1995, the Innu Nation and the Mushuau Innu Band Council
issued an eviction notice to two companies conducting mineral exploration
at Eimish (Voisey Bay), citing the failure of Diamond Fields Resources and
Archean Resources to obtain the permission of the Innu people or prepare an
environmental and cultural protection plan before conducting exploration
activities on aboriginal land.
The eviction forced the company to suspend exploration activity, but a
12-day standoff between Innu and over 50 RCMP officers ensued at the remote
location. An attempt by the Labrador Inuit Association, which also has
rights in the Eimish area, and the Innu Nation to negotiate with the two
companies ended abruptly when the company made it clear that it would not
recognize aboriginal rights and resumed exploration activity.
By issuing the eviction order, the Innu wanted to make it clear to these
companies that any exploration and development on our land must be subject
to the wishes of our people. Over 13,000 new claims covering several
thousand square kilometers of aboriginal land have been staked in the last
few months alone. But the Innu have never been approached for permission.
Diamond Fields Resources, a company associated with controversial developer
and stock promoter Robert Friedland, announced a "major discovery" of
nickel, copper and cobalt at Eimish in November 1994, spurring a rush of
claim staking activity. The Newfoundland government has refused to halt the
project, which is proceeding despite the fact that both the Innu Nation and
the Labrador Inuit Association are negotiating land rights with Canada and
Newfoundland.
The Innu oppose development of a mine at Eimish. The Innu have used the
area for countless generations. It has always been an important travel
route, and the drilling sites and exploration camp is located in the same
vicinity as historic Innu camps and burial sites. The area is important
habitat for caribou, wolves, small mammals, and migratory birds, including
the endangered harlequin duck.
Diamond Fields has failed to assure the Innu that these things are being
respected, and is proceeding with exploration activities without
recognizing aboriginal rights. Given the reputation of Robert Friedland and
his role in the Summitville disaster in Colorado, one of the worst
environmental disasters in US mining history, the Innu fear that the
present exploration activity will lead to the destruction of a special and
sacred place.
"This land is Innu and Inuit land. It does not belong to the Newfoundland
government or to Canada. We never gave it to them, and we continue to use
it. But it makes our lives very difficult when there is more low-level
flying, more fishing camps, and more mining without our consent. The
companies who come here are parties with the governments in stealing land
from the Innu people."
- Tshenish Pasteen, Innu elder
VOICE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE INNU STRUGGLE.
TELL GOVERNMENTS AND INDUSTRY THAT YOU OPPOSE MINERAL EXPLORATION AT VOISEY BAY.
Write to:
Premier Clyde Wells Dr. Rex Gibbons Jean-Raymond Boulle
PO Box 8700 PO Box 8700 Diamond Fields Resources
St. John's, NF St. John's, NF Suite 1900, 355 Burrard St.
A1B 4J6 A1B 4J6 Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8
fax (709) 729-5875 fax: (709) 729-6782 fax: (604) 687-7140
Larry Innes internet: es051322@orion.yorku.ca (direct to me)
innu@web.apc.org (general to Innu Nation)
Environmental Advisor
Innu Nation phone: (709) 497-8398
PO Box 119 fax: (709) 497-8396
Sheshatshiu, Nitassinan (Labrador)
via Canada A0P 1M0
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