Coop média de Montréal

Journalisme indépendant

More independent news:
Do you want free independent news delivered weekly? sign up now
Can you support independent journalists with $5? donate today!
Not reviewed by Coop Média de Montréal editors. copyeditedfact checked [?]

Traditional Algonquin Elders Council Seeks Injunction Against Resolute

Interview with Salomon Wawatie

by Zach Ruiter

Chris Wabie pictured by Tina Nottaway, @ "Rally For Anishinabe Cultural Existence" Sunday August 5th 2012 Highway 117
Chris Wabie pictured by Tina Nottaway, @ "Rally For Anishinabe Cultural Existence" Sunday August 5th 2012 Highway 117
from the video "The March Into Poignan" capturing the Women Elders signal to protect the land
from the video "The March Into Poignan" capturing the Women Elders signal to protect the land
"Pour Les Arbres", photo by Alexandra McGregor
"Pour Les Arbres", photo by Alexandra McGregor
Avaaz petition to the Superior Court
Avaaz petition to the Superior Court

The Traditional Algonquin Elders Council will seek an injunction in Superior Court of Quebec on Monday August 6th.  According to Elder, Salomon Wawatie, the injunction contends that Resolute Forestry is "illegally logging without consent on unceded Algonquin Territory and this injunction is brought by the Traditional Elders Council". 

Representing the Elders Council are lawyers Andrew Binnet and Anthony Vincent.  Here is a facebook event for court support in the morning https://www.facebook.com/events/400799519976402/

On Sunday August 5th, the Elders Council held an "Rally For Anishinabe Cultural Existence" along Highway 117  to publicize their contention that "The forestry company Resolute and the ministry of natural resources of Quebec signed a fraudulous agreement with 4 members of the algonquin nation, members who did not have the mandate to sell the land."

Salomon Wawatie urges "the Quebec Court to recognize our sovereignty with this injunction" adding "we hope that Joseph and Louise Wawatie will be released from prison". 

Land Defenders Louise and Joseph Wawatie are currently being held in Maniwaki Quebec on charges of mischief and breaking an injunction forbidding them from protesting the clear-cut logging by Resolute Forrestry Products.  Joseph and Louise's court date is scheduled for August 9 in Maniwaki and they are requesting support. 

Both Louise and Joseph refused conditions of bail and are asserting their sovereign rights over their unceded territory where Resolute continues to clear-cut.  The Traditional Algonquin Elders Council has publicized the imprisonment by creating an Avaaz petition,

"Libérez Louise et Joseph Wawatie, sans conditions!"

The petition explains

"Le 1er août 2012, Louise et Joseph Wawatie ont été arrêté pour méfait. Ils ne font que protéger leur territoire ancestral, non-cédé. L'arrestation de Louise et de Joe Wawatie est injuste, grossière et innacceptable. Il est temps de reconnaître la souveraineté des Algonquins sur leurs terres! La compagnie forestière Résolut et le Ministère des ressources naturelles du Québec ont signé une entente frauduleuse avec 4 membres de la communauté algonquinne, membres qui n'avaient pas le mandat de vendre ces terres. Comme partout ailleurs, certaines personnes sont prêtes à tout pour des dollars; détruire la Terre-mère et arnaquer leurs familles. Libérez Louise et Joseph Wawatie, sans conditions!"

 

 

Socialize:
Want more grassroots coverage?
Join the Media Co-op today.

Creative Commons license icon Creative Commons license icon

About the poster

Trusted by 1 other users.
Has posted 8 times.
View Zach Ruiter's profile »

Recent Posts:

picture of Zach Ruiter

Zach Ruiter (Zach Ruiter)
Peterborough, ON
Member since December 2011

About:

zruiter@gmail.com please!

369 words
bar baz

Comments

sell the land?

your reporting makes it sound like someone sold the land. that is not true, please try to do a better job next time
 

please see this post for a better description of the agreement:

http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org/2012/07/win-resistance-by-barriere-lake-and.html

The site for the Montreal local of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.