Landmark legal victory could end clearcut logging in Grassy Narrows Territory

August 17 2011
freegrassy.org

(Toronto) – Yesterday the Grassy Narrows First Nation (Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek) won a major victory in their more than decade long battle to stop clearcut logging in Grassy Narrows’ traditional territory. Grassy Narrows Chief and Council welcome the decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to protect the rights promised to the Anishinaabe from interference by Ontario. Madam Justice Mary-Anne Sanderson’s decision, over 300 pages in length, finds that the Government of Ontario does not have the power to take away the rights in Treaty 3 by authorizing development including logging and mining. read more

Public statement signed by PSAC, PEN Canada, OCUFA, CAUT, CUPW, CUPE Ontario, CPT, Council of Canadians, CSN, OCAP, No One Is Illegal, Greenpeace Canada, WPIRG, OPIRG Toronto and others.

On July 28, Mandy Hiscocks and co-accused Alex Hundert will be joined in court by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in challenging the legitimacy of the bail condition not to “plan for, assist in planning for, attend or participate in any public demonstrations” that at least 18 people are currently saddled with as a result of the G20. The CCLA is seeking to intervene in the bail review proceedings initiated by Hiscocks and Hundert.

Audit slams Whiskey Jack Forest management

Earthroots
July 12 2011

Toronto - The independent audit of logging in the Whiskey Jack Forest 2004-2009 released recently by the provincial government paints a disturbing picture of a forest in decline...

“This report is further evidence that the MNR is not ensuring that the forest is cared for in the long term interests of the people who depend on it,” said David Sone of Earthroots. “The report is full of documentation showing that cutting corners and cutting costs have left the Whiskey Jack in a degraded state. This kind of short term thinking leaves First Nations, workers, wildlife, and our environment shouldering the burden of a forest that has been managed into decline.”

Alex Hundert and Amanda Hiscocks to represent themselves in legal challenge against bail condition barring participation in public meetings

June 23, Toronto—This morning, two G20 defendants, Alex Hundert and Amanda Hiscocks will be attending the Ontario Superior Court at 361 University Ave at 10am to file for a bail review hearing where they will contest the constitutionality of a bail condition that has been used to prevent G20 defendants from exercising their freedoms of speech, expression and assembly; effectively barring them from participating in their own communities.

Grassroots women are blocking passage for Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR ) enforcement officers interfering with back-road repair work by the northwestern Ontario First Nations community. The community is repairing washouts and beaver damage to nearby back-roads to facilitate their ongoing use and enjoyment of their traditional territory.

Grassy Narrows Clan Mothers are blocking the MNR from accessing their territory right now!

Call the MNR Kenora office to express your support: (807) 468-2501 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (807) 468-2501      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

[READ MORE]

On "Helpless", CANACE, and the “Truth and Reconciliation” Rally

by Luke Stewart
from Toronto Media Coop

On 27 February 2011, over one hundred Six Nations solidarity activists gathered to hold a truth and reconciliation rally and celebrate the fifth anniversary of the reclamation of Kanonhstaton (the Douglas Creek Estates) by people of the Six Nations on 28 February 2006. Coinciding with the solidarity celebration was the counter “truth and reconciliation”[1] rally held by Canadian Advocates for Charter Equality (CANACE).

Toronto: No More Silence
Vancouver: 20th annual Wmoen's Memorial March

Just Releasd:

"Survival, Strength, Sisterhood: Power of Women in the Downtown Eastside" is a short film that documents the 20 year history of the annual women's memorial march for missing and murdered women in Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories. By focusing on the voices of women who live, love, and work in the Downtown Eastside this film debunks the sensationalism surrounding a neighbourhood deeply misunderstood, and celebrates the complex and diverse realities of women organizing for justice.

A film by Alejandro Zuluaga and Harsha Walia, based on concept by the Downtown Eastside Power of Women Group.

You've Got Bail! (But No Freedom)

Ryan Rainville, "freedom" and the letter of G20 law

by Megan Cotton-Kinch
from The Dominion

TORONTO—The men’s shelter doesn’t look like a prison. There are no bars on the windows, no sign announcing the building’s institutional status. The walls are decorated with posters about Indigenous pride and occasionally the air is tinged with the sweet smell of burning sage.

For Ryan Rainville however, it is a prison. He is not allowed to leave the shelter except to see his lawyer and for occasional group activities. There is a long list of people—some of whom he has never met—whom the courts have ordered him not to contact. Because of these conditions he can’t work or go to school.

Members of AW@L have spent the last several months organizing for the G8/G20 in Toronto. We have also been organizing in Kitchener-Waterloo to educate and mobilize resistance against the so-called leaders and their summit. From June 18-28, we will be on the streets in Toronto, we hope to see you there.

_________________________

Toronto Community Mobilization Network

http://attacktheroots.net

Event against the proposed cut in the McGuinty Liberals budget planned for May 20

Waterloo Region, ON

Waterloo Region community members are saying the McGuinty Liberals should reconsider axing the Special Diet Allowance as announced in their latest budget by demonstrating the need for increased access to healthy food for Waterloo Region's poor. An informal group of concerned Waterloo Region will be distributing free, healthy food as well as information about the Special Diet Allowance this Thursday, May 20 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Speakers Corner in Downtown Kitchener. John Milloy, the Kitchener Centre Liberal MPP is being invited to attend.

Earthroots, Press Release, May 18:

Ontario’s forests still at risk

Some of the world’s largest clearcuts still planned in the province

Toronto - Despite announcements made [yesterday], the devastation of Ontario’s forests continues largely unabated. Giant clearcuts, which level forested areas as large as pre-megacity Toronto (10,000 ha), still make up 94% of the area logged each year in Ontario. Canada’s logging industry employs only 2/3 of the workers per tree cut that Sweden employs, and Ontario has still not respected the human right of Indigenous peoples to say “no” to logging on their traditional lands.

No One Is Illegal-Toronto: Firing Jason Kenney, Building a Sanctuary City

TORONTO – For five years, Migrant Justice organizers have built on the history of May Day in Toronto, creating the momentum for a massive Immigrant Rights demonstration on May 1. This work came alive on Saturday, May 1, 2010 as well over two thousand people gathered in one of North America’s most densely populated Immigrant neighbourhoods, St. Jamestown, to fight for Status for All!

For pictures, video and more from the march, check out: http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/node/453

One hundred and fifty risk arrest to donate to Abdelrazik
Sanctions-busting telethon a tremendous success

A sanctions-busting telethon held in support of Abousfian Abdelrazik in Montreal yesterday was a resounding success. More than 150 people from across the country responded to the appeal to donate to Abdelrazik, though they were aware that they risked federal prosecution by doing so.

Three-Hundred Signatories Condemn Invitation of Anti-Native Militia Leaders to Conference on Aboriginal Policy

Press Release
May 5,

Calgary – Hundreds of scholars and concerned citizens have signed an open letter opposing the invitation of anti-native militia leaders to the "New Directions in Aboriginal Policy” conference at Mount Royal University in Calgary on May 5.

Open Letter Protesting the Presence of Anti-Native “Militia” Leaders at the May 5th Aboriginal Policy Forum

Know Your Rights

April 29, 2010

Attorney Davin Charney says there is a "systemic problem of illegal detentions, arrests and searches of people who refuse to identify themselves to police."

Waterloo Regional Police are once again facing a civil suit for wrongdoing. On August 2, 2009 two members of the Waterloo Regional Police arrested Davin Charney and Mark Corbiere for failing to identify themselves as they walked out of the Kitchener Farmers Market. The two have filed a claim in the Kitchener Small Claims Court.