Here is the text of a document I received this weekend from Gloria Morrison. She and her husband Frank are the couple that have uranium mining claims staked on their land in North Frontenac.
I present this information here not only to support the Morrison's (who I relate to 100% given the similar claim situation with our property in West Quebec) but also to illustrate how things can work in Ontario if a mining concern wants your land. In Quebec, it may not be a very different story.
Please help and support the Morrisons, the native and non-native people of North Frontenac and the good people of West Quebec who don't want the Ottawa River Watershed to become the next Elliot Lake. That's right, we're talking about mining uranium at potentially several sites in the area that purifies and filters the water that over one million people in Ottawa-Gatineau drink! The North Frontenac and the West Quebec regions are all part of the Ottawa River Watershed.
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And now here is Gloria's story as she sent it to me:
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On June 20th 2007, the following letter was e-mailed to 13 addresses of people who were, or had been involved in attempting to organize a defense against the exploration/mining of uranium in our immediate area. In October of 2006, Frank and I were the first people to become aware of what was planned by the mining interests and take on the mandate of informing others.
A few days prior to this e-mail, our Ardoch Algonquin First Nations People had informed us of their decision to secure the mine site, thereby halting the exploration work by Frontenac Ventures. Some within our small group of non-native supporters were new to the cause, unfamiliar with what had taken place to date, and undecided as to what position they should assume. This letter was written with the intent of providing some facts and background information to assist people in making their decision.
It is now offered to the general public as a brief overview to help explain how things have evolved over the past months and some of the factors that have lead to our present situation.
Statement – protest
Dear Friends:
On behalf of Frank and myself, I would like to make a statement for your consideration. Hopefully, it will also assist some of you in making your choices regarding the mining of uranium in our area and what your position will be.
Keep in mind, to back away or do nothing is also a choice.
First, a few facts and history for your deliberation:
I contacted our mayor, Ron Maguire, on November 8th informing him in detail regarding the staking of our land. He said that he was completely unaware that Frontenac Ventures had been staking for uranium since 2005. He stated that he would contact Steve Riddell, the chief of the fire department and an employee of the township, for details. We had heard through Dale Gimmell that Steve was well informed.
Again on February 5th 2007 I called our mayor to inquire regarding what information he now had, and what position the township would take in the matter. Ron said he had no information to offer, as yet. In both instances, he commented that he did not see how mining could proceed because of our First Nations People and the unsettled land claims issue.
On November 15th I spoke at length with Roy Denomme, Supervisor with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines regarding our concerns. For example, we discussed our managed forest property, the improperly staked claim, our damaged trees, the grave omissions on the property description, etc. Roy advised me to contact the mining company directly and discuss my concerns with them. When Roy was interviewed by Carol Off, CBC AS IT HAPPENS in Jan. 2007, he had no recollection of our telephone conversation. Yet, he did state that the ministry was aware of the problems in Southern Ontario and they were trying to address them. Yet, no one from the MNDM has contacted us regarding compensation for our damaged trees or proper staking or properly completed paper work that would indicate the creeks, rail bed and building on or adjacent to our staked property.
On November 16th I contacted Pam Sangster, geologist with MNDM for assistance. On November 23rd I drove to her office in Tweed and spent several hours with her. She had a very long list of my questions when I left. She said to give her till the next week to get back to me with answers. I have never heard back from her.
November 23rd I spoke with Dr. Terri Bottrill, geologist for Frontenac Ventures. Again I reviewed in detail our concerns. Although our damaged trees were part of our discussion no effort has been made on the part of Frontenac Ventures regarding compensation.
I contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources in November and then again in March when I had no response to my concerns. As the stewards representing the crown on what is typically referred to as `Crown Land` or land held for the benefit of all the citizens of the province, what could they do to address our concerns? Answer - Nothing! Once land is staked it falls under the jurisdiction of the MNDM.
On November 29th and again on the 1st of December I had contact with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. What could they do to protect our waterway? Response - nothing really, once it is staked. I have since heard that they did send a letter to Frontenac Ventures outlining the regulations but I have not seen a copy of the letter nor was I given specific details regarding its contents.
On April 26th I contacted the Ministry of Health regarding baseline testing of our drinking water for radiation levels and testing for Radon Gas in our local buildings. They said that was under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Environment, provincial level. That same day I spoke with the representative of the DOE for our area. She was unaware of our mining situation but would make enquiries within her department and get back to me. When I called again on the 15th of May I was advised that they were busy and perhaps in a few weeks they would have time to look into this matter. I am still waiting.
Okay my friends, I think this is enough to give you a sense of the lack of interest/help that our government departments or local agencies are able to offer to date. Of course I could keep pestering and completing forms and asking for help - while the mining companies proceed at record speed!
On the other side of this story we have our Ardoch Algonquin First Nations People. Frank made the first call to Randy Cota, about Nov. 20th. I was contacted by Randy and invited to their Band Council Meeting on November 26th. Although I initially suggested attending a later meeting, when I would be better acquainted with the issues, Randy insisted that his people would be interested and that I not wait.
We have been in contact throughout the winter with both Randy Cota and Paula Sherman. In every instance Randy has been adamant - we will not allow this land to be polluted or destroyed. They are not going to mine on our land. And, we will help you. This is for all of our children and generations to come.
At the request of the AAFNP, Frank and I provided a letter asking for their help. Dated December 1st 2006 the letter begins with the following statement: "As was presented at your band council meeting on Sunday, November 26th we are asking the Ardoch Algonquin First Nations People to assist us by joining in our efforts to investigate, and if possible halt, the preliminary work related to the mining of uranium on land in our home territory.” The letter closes with this thought: “So, we turn to our local First Nations People for assistance and in particular to represent the interest of all the people of Ontario to protect that land that is held in trust for all citizens, Crown Land.¨
Obviously we were only able to represent ourselves. No one else was standing with us at that time.
Frank and I would like to make our position clear. To date, the only group supporting us in our concerns has been our AAFNP. They are doing exactly what they said they would do. We see them as our friends and we have full confidence that we can work together. We believe that we all share the same vision and goal - to shoulder the stewardship role that the creator left with each one of us to carry.
Therefore, we will be standing with our brothers and sisters, our First Nations People on June 28th and 29th.
My friends, this is not easy. We did not ask to be in this situation. I believe in prayer and that is all that keeps me going - on some days. Thank you for taking the time to read this statement. Whatever each one of you decides regarding this matter, let us all be open to accepting the decision of our neighbor with compassion.
Gloria Morrison
on behalf of Frank and I
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WQ-CAMU / COQCEU
Notice
