AUDIO posted on Août 5, 2012 by Zach Ruiter

Traditional Algonquin Elders Council Seeks Injunction Against Resolute

Interview with Salomon Wawatie

by Zach Ruiter

» Download file 'solomon.mp3' (1.2MB)

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

"Pour Les Arbres", photo by Alexandra McGregor

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!"