BluEarth wind farm project: Batchewana or Michipicoten territory?
Thursday, September 27, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
ANISHINABEK NATION
****************************
Northern Superior Chiefs oppose wind farm due to lack of consultation
FORT WILLIAM FN - Anishinabek Nation Northern Superior Chiefs passed a resolution that opposes wind farm construction in Anishinabek traditional territory near Michipicoten First Nation due to lack of consultation.
"There was no consultation with the developer BluEarth Renewables," says Chief Buckell of Michipicoten First Nation. "It seems that Batchewana First Nation has made a deal with BluEarth Renewables and Batchewana claims that they consider it their area which is a least 50 Kilometres from their reserve. They are ignoring the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 where the boundaries are clearly stated. This needs to be addressed by the federal government.”
BluEarth Renewables intent is to erect 36 wind turbines approximately 80 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, close to Lake Superior’s eastern shore and south of the Montreal River - which is in Michipicoten First Nation territory.
Other Anishinabek Nation communities do have wind farm projects on the go - and had meaningful consultation with the wind farm companies involved.
“Direct action by the Northern Superior Chiefs will take place if BluEarth wind farm project moves forward with the venture,” says Buckell.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to which Canada is signatory, states that Indigenous Peoples have the right to consultation and accommodation when it comes to traditional territory involving the environment, health and resource sharing.
The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949.
The UOI is a political advocate for 39 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 55,000 people.
The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
****************************
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
OMGWTF 9/27/2012 1:44:38 PM ReportSo how much is meaningful?
LSARC 9/27/2012 3:26:42 PM ReportTHANK YOU Anishinabek Nation Northern Superior Chiefs! Batchewana First Nation has sold out to BluEarth and has not even consulted properly with their own band membership.
BEWARE bad faith consulting, or should I say insulting.
www.lsarc.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/the-final-straw/
rljtkp 9/27/2012 4:32:50 PM ReportHello
Just wondering if anyone can verify something. Is Michipicoten outright opposed to this violation of our beautiful northern coast?, or upset because they weren't consulted ? Do they want the monetary compensation? Is this their land, crown land, or both? Just looking for some facts and answers
Thanks
the machine 9/27/2012 7:57:20 PM ReportRljtkp,
Those are good and valid questions, i was wonderin' the same. Hopefully it's preservation but as much as i hate to say it " i doubt it".
It's ALWAYS about the cabbage...
Timbob 9/27/2012 9:08:50 PM ReportNow the Indians are arguing amongst themselves. I love it!
LAD 9/27/2012 10:05:01 PM ReportLSARC, Michipicoten First Nation is not a member of Batchewana First Nation. They are two different bands.
rockfeather 10/1/2012 10:06:42 PM Reportblue earth sponsored the recent homecoming for batchewana first nation - they paid 150.00 per member that signed up for consultation workshops - the chief stated that blue earth paid the bfn 15million in advance against the settlement of its land claim - no consultation with the members up to that point, nor was there any band vote on the 15 million, what it was for, where it will be spent, etc. etc. Michipicoten settled land claim for 50 million with band consultation and vote but no consultation with BFN - both bands share common territory
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
