Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishnabek
The Anishnaabe people of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows in Northwestern Ontario) have threatened for years to take direct action to protect their traditional land use area from clear-cut logging by Abitibi Consolidated--the world's largest newsprint producer. Treaty #3 signed in 1873 affirms the perpetual right of Anishaanbe people to hunt, fish and gather on their traditional lands. By logging without Anishaanbe permission and clear-cutting Anishaanbe hunting and gathering grounds, Abitibi is in violation of Treaty #3.
On Dec. 3, 2002, Asubpeeschoseewagong asserted its sovereignty over its traditional lands with a blockade of the main logging road near the community and occasional blockades of another logging road. CPT was asked by the community to accompany the blockade because of fears of violence from loggers, police or others. CPT's presence at the nonviolent blockade contributed to the blockade's safety and longevity.
In the past century, the people of Asubpeeschoseewagong have suffered from the genocidal effects of colonization through the residential school system , flooding and displacement by Ontario Hydro dams, forced relocation, mercury poisoning from an up-river pulp and paper mill and now the loss of animal habitat, berries and medicines from clear-cut logging.
Except in the remote northern edges of the Grassy Narrows traditional land use area, logging has been stopped for the time being. Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources has recently approved a Abitii's new Forest Management Plan for the Whisky Jack Forest (co-terminus with Asubpeeschoseewagong traditional land use area). Asubpeeschoseewagong's struggle to defend its land is far from over.
On Dec. 3, 2002, Asubpeeschoseewagong asserted its sovereignty over its traditional lands with a blockade of the main logging road near the community and occasional blockades of another logging road. CPT was asked by the community to accompany the blockade because of fears of violence from loggers, police or others. CPT's presence at the nonviolent blockade contributed to the blockade's safety and longevity.
In the past century, the people of Asubpeeschoseewagong have suffered from the genocidal effects of colonization through the residential school system , flooding and displacement by Ontario Hydro dams, forced relocation, mercury poisoning from an up-river pulp and paper mill and now the loss of animal habitat, berries and medicines from clear-cut logging.
Except in the remote northern edges of the Grassy Narrows traditional land use area, logging has been stopped for the time being. Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources has recently approved a Abitii's new Forest Management Plan for the Whisky Jack Forest (co-terminus with Asubpeeschoseewagong traditional land use area). Asubpeeschoseewagong's struggle to defend its land is far from over.