On Sunday December 17, 2006 Fort William First Nation youth will hold an Open House at the Fort William First Nation community
centre, on Anemki Drive, from 2 pm until 8:30 pm, to present findings of a project that mapped the reserve for random dumpsites, and the industrial activity adjacent to the community.
From the Newswire: This youth-led project engaged community youth in identifying pollution
issues affecting the reserve, and the high incidence of industrial activity
next to the community. It was initiated to raise awareness about how Fort
William First Nation is being used as a dumping area for household garbage,
hazardous waste, industrial waste, medical wastes and derelict vehicles.
Read More......
On Tuesday November 21st 2006, in the Lakehead University Agora, join Grassy Narrows First Nation Speakers/presenters Joe Fobister and Charles Wagamese for a panel discussion of the current issues and concerns. Following the defiance and will of the children that began laying down in front of logging trucks, these two men have been involved in defending their community's traditional land use are from clearcutting since 2002. It has become the longest standing blockade in Canadian history and the people of Asubpeechoseewagong continue to resist.
This past summer more than 20 were arrested in a direct action campaign coordinated with the Rainforest Action Network. Check out the video below:
Thunder Bay indymedia has played a strong role in the blockade from the beginning. It has become an information clearing house on the actions and issues. In 2003, we premiered the featured documentary "As Long As the River's Flow: Story of the Grassy Narrows Blockade". This summer, that film was seen more than 65 times in 8 countries.
For more news and information see:
FreeGrassy.org or View our IMC archive on Grassy.
Watch this video backgrounder with footage from the TransCanada blockade:
UK Indymedia:
Outrage spread around the world over the weekend following the killing of the documentary filmmaker and Indymedia video reporter Brad Will, from New York City at the hands of pro-government supporters who opened fire on unarmed protestors on the outskirts of Oaxaca, Mexico. Three others were also killed alongside him (making four dead in total); one member of Radio Universidad was injured.
On Sunday, more than 10,000 military swept the streets of Oaxaca. At their head were tanks with water cannons, laced with tear gas, followed by lines of 3,500 riot cops with batons. Behind them, a further 3,000 military police with automatic rifles. 5,000 army troops were waiting in the outskirts of the city while the paramilitaries continued attacking. Reports came in of snatch squads operating within the city centre, with police and military using helicopters and ambulances to grab protestors and injured people. Many arrests were reported, and at least two protestors were confirmed to have been killed in the clashes. See timeline of events.
IMC Thunder Bay contributer Karli was allowed access to the Norampac Mill in Red Rock. The mill is scheduled to offically close November 23rd, 2006, effectively killing the town of Red Rock, Ontario. All of the machines have been shut down. They are no longer producing and are currently in the process of being dismantled. These photos speak for themselves.
The Community Group for Environmental Stewardship is a developing citizen’s-based initiative on Fort William First Nation (next to Thunder Bay, Ontario). Their overall goal is to engage the community in proactive environmental stewardship that promotes a healthy living environment. This will be done through fostering citizen leadership and empowering people. They plan to fill in the gaps relating to environmental justice that the Band Administration cannot currently address.
But, they need help in establishing the group as a recognized non-profit in the province of Ontario. They are seeking a person who has non-profit experience and is willing to volunteer through this process.
Recently, Amnesty International released a scathing report on the legality and impacts of resource extraction practices on the community. The blockaders have had enough warning the companies to "cease and desist" or "face a fierce international campaign". This month, that campaign included more than 65 screenings (in 8 countries) of the made-in-Thunder Bay, Indymedia feature documentary "As Long As the Rivers Flow".
Now the blockaders are inviting you and all supporters of social and ecological justice to come stay on our land at the Slant Lake Blockade for the Earth Justice Gathering July 10-16 and show your support for our common fight to protect the forest and our Indigenous rights. "Come meet us, see our reality first hand, train, learn, share your knowledge, swim in the lakes, walk in the forest, and prepare to bring this struggle into the cities, offices, legislatures and retailers of your area. We are all accountable to the earth. Take responsibility, join with us and do your part in the fight to protect the earth and our common future" say representatives from Grassy in an open letter. The week will include workshops, speakers and direct action.
Efforts are being made to organize a van from the Fort William First Nation. Need a ride? Contact Damien at connectwithdamien(at)gmail.com
For more information on the gathering and the issues go to www.freegrassy.org. Watch Videos about the bloackade here. For more information on the blockade visit Turtle Island News.
From the Newswire: "Present council tends to make decisions based on what administration tells them, rather than use administration to provide information as a basis of making a sound decision. Also, our present council has a block of seven to ten councillors, voting the same way on every issue. There were two factions in previous city council with about five councilors somewhere in the middle. Which scenario provides a better setting for democracy to work? A like-minded council? Or one that is on opposite ends of the spectrum? Is in fighting a bad thing?"
Youth out migration; economic woes; a declining and aging population; closing schools; environmental concerns: these are just a few of the issues that Thunder Bay citizens are concerned about. But is city council appropriately addressing these issues?
State Repression in Oaxaca, Mexico, IMC Journalist Killed
Red Rock Mill Closure : A Photo Essay
Earth Justice Gathering at Grassy Narrows as NWO forest crisis looms
How do you rate Thunder Bay City Council?
