/* Written 1:26 PM Sep 19, 1996 by nfnena in igc:nfn.tempforest */
/* ---------- "STOP TEMAGAMI DEVASTATION!" ---------- */
From: Native Forest Network-ENA <nfnena@igc.apc.org>
The NFN has just received this communique from the Kingston Temagami Action
Group) at (613) 541-1823 or by e-mail at "cafe003@intcafe.kosone.com" or
"4kem@qlink.queensu.ca" For further info please contact them directly or
Earthroots at (416) 599-0152 or by email at "eroots@web.apc.org"
-----------------------
Recent Ontario government actions threaten 48% of North America's
remaining old growth red and white pine forests, all of it on native
land.
STOP THE DEVASTATION IN TEMAGAMI
"We are not giving up our struggle for justice. We can't; we have not and
never will. This land is our land, as well as that of our descendants
6,000 years from now; there is no other motherland for us on earth."
Chief Gary Potts of the Teme-Augama Anishnabai in 1988
BATTLE-LINES DRAWN IN TEMAGAMI
First Nations and environmental groups have begun the fight against the
Provincial Conservative (Tory) government's plans to destroy one of the
world's last remaining old growth pine forests in the Temagami region of
Northern Ontario, Canada. The battle's opening salvoes have seen a
logging bridge bombed, several others set on fire, blockades set up with
35 protesters arrested, and court action launched against the Minister of
Natural Resources.
Showing no concern for the environment, native sovereignty or common sense
government subsidization of new roads in the area will allow forestry
companies to begin logging as early as this fall. Their plans subject an
alarming 77% of Temagami to mining and 71% to logging with a mere 24% of
the actual old growth guaranteed any sort of protection.
TORIES FOR A TREELESS FUTURE
The present situation is critical. The remaining old growth pine stands
of Temagami represent less than 1% of the forest's original range, which
covered most of the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes area. These stands
are woven into a unique and remarkably diverse ecosystem which cannot
simply be "replanted." Tory plans virtually ensure the destruction of
more than two-thirds of the forest, lakes, rivers, brush and muskeg of the
region. They endanger one of the highest quality trout fisheries in
Ontario, the last accessible wilderness in Eastern Canada and habitat for
a variety of endangered plant and animal species including the aurora
trout,the golden eagle and the eastern cougar.
AND WHOSE LAND IS IT, ANYWAY?
N'Daki Menan (Temagami) has been the homeland of the Teme- Augama
Anishnabai for more than 6,000 years. Seeking a treaty with the Canadian
government since 1877, they have struggled for 120 years against the
exploitation and destruction of their traditional lands. Teme-Augama
blockades against logging on their land in the spring of 1988 were
continued in the spring of 1989 with the participation of
environmentalists. More than 350 people were arrested. Despite the
government's strong-arm tactics, the blockades saved the Temagami forest
and forced the Peterson government into serious negotiations with the
Teme-Augama in 1990. The present government has set the clock back to
1988 by unilaterally ceasing these negotiations and is disregarding
international law by allowing resource extraction to proceed on contested
land.
TREES FOR A TORYLESS FUTURE
Whether cutting social programmes or old growth forests, the Harris
government is showing little regard for anything other than its narrow set
of corporate interests. Left unchallenged the Tories will do irreparable
damage to the social and ecological fabric of this province.
Urgent action is required. Citizen action during the previous Temagami
campaign was highly effective and was a major factor in the Liberal defeat
in the 1990 election. The goal of the present campaign is clear: the
Tories must either halt logging and resume negotiations with the
Teme-Augama or suffer the fate of their Liberal predecessors.
You can send letters, faxes or phone to protest the destruction of
Temagami to:
Premier Mike Harris
Room 281, Legislative Building
Queen's Park,
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M7A 1W3
fax (416) 325-3745
phone (416) 325-1941
Chris Hodgson, Minister of Natural Resources
6th floor, Whitney Block
99 Wellesley St. West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M7A 1W3
fax (416) 314-2216
phone (416) 314-2301
You can participate in the civil disobedience campaign in Temagami by
contacting Earthroots by e-mail at "eroots@web.apc.org" or by phone at
(416) 599-0152. They're presently blockading the road construction in the
Owain Lake old growth area.
Temagami web pages can be linked by going to
www.uoguelph.ca/~rolajos/temagami.html.
You can reach us (the Kingston Temagami Action Group) at (613) 541-1823 or
by e-mail at "cafe003@intcafe.kosone.com" or at "4kem@qlink.queensu.ca"
We are working with other groups like ours in southern Ontario to build a
campaign of CD to take place in the south. This is where the government
offices and the politicians who are leading the assault on Temagami are. A
Columbus Day action is scheduled:
Action: October 15 at noon at the Ministry of Natural Resources head
office in Peterborough. Buses from Kingston. Phone/e-mail to reserve a
seat or to arrange CD training.
Other actions are in the works, so keep your eyes open or get in touch
with us now so we can keep you up to date.
----------------------------------------------------
Information transferred via:
NATIVE FOREST NETWORK
Eastern North American Resource Center
POB 57
Burlington, VT 05402 USA
(802)863-0571
(802)863-2532 Fax
email: nfnena@igc.apc.org