CPTnet
8 March 2008
Kingston, ON: Delegation denounces the shackling of justice for Algonquin First Nations

By Rebecca Johnson

On Saturday, March 1st, the Frontenac County courthouse steps in Kingston, Ontario were stage for the denouncing of a February 15th decision to jail and fine Algonquin leader Bob Lovelace for his role in protecting traditional territories from uranium exploration and mining.

Members of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Aboriginal Justice delegation, together with CPT Ontario members and local concerned citizens, drew parallels between the shackling of Bob Lovelace and the shackling of such issues as aboriginal rights, justice and the Canadian constitution. With signs naming these issues, eight members shackled at the wrists marched single file from the courthouse through Kingston’s busy commercial centre. Ahead of them, a drummer sounded a slow, steady beat of warning. For a video clip, see http://cpt.org/work/aboriginal_justice

Lovelace is serving six months in prison and was fined $25,000 for breaking a court injunction that prohibits the barring of mining exploration company Frontenac Ventures Corp. from accessing 60 square kilometers of land at Robertsville, about 80 km north of Kingston, ON. In issuing these harsh punitive measures, Judge Douglas Cunningham struck Lovelace’s defence from the record, making it inadmissible in further court challenges that Lovelace might face. In addition, Judge Cunningham did not consider that, in issuing staking claims to FVC before consulting with First Nations communities affected by the proposed exploration and mining, the province had failed in its constitutional ‘duty to consult.’

This public witness of solidarity is part of a campaign gathering momentum in Ontario calling for a moratorium on uranium exploration and mining, and for the amendment of the antiquated Ontario Mining Act which privileges mining activity at the expense of constitutionally held aboriginal land rights, human health and the environment. CPT encourages people interested in these issues to check the websites of the Ardoch Algonquin and Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations, as well as the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium for ways to add your voice and join the movement: www.aafna.ca; www.shabotisstillhere.com, www.ccamu.ca.