CPTnet
December 17, 2002
GRASSY NARROWS: Anishinabek Warriors Temporarily Block
Clear-Cutting
by Christopher Brown*
“TRUCK!!!” yelled one of the Anishinabek warriors. As
if on cue the others jumped from their seats at the
fire along with CPTer Matt Schaff, me, a
documentarian, and three community members from Grassy
Narrows. We stood together on December 13 at this
blockade on Segeise road because of our common desire
to end the clear-cutting that has been taking place in
the area.
The distant rumble of the diesel engine turned into a
loud roar when the 18-wheeler loaded with lumber
turned the corner. As the truck approached, one of the
warriors stood in front of the vehicle blocking its
path. Another handed the driver a flyer which read, in
part: “Pursuant to the hunting right guaranteed in
Treaty #3, the Anishinabek of Grassy Narrows wish to
inform the public that a hunt will commence [at] 8 am,
Friday, December 13, 2002, and will terminate [at] 4
pm, Sunday, December 15, 2002. For safety purposes,
traffic will be temporarily halted or turned back as
of 8 pm, Thursday, December 12, 2002 within the
affected area for the duration of the hunt. This
action is a peaceful demonstration of our will to
assert our rights within the area of contention…This
notice applies to all logging trucks and machine
operators…We apologize for any inconvenience that
this may cause. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New
Year.”
By the end of the day flyers had been handed out to
four logging trucks leaving the clear-cut area,
several hunters driving by, and one Skidder. A
maintenance truck was turned away from entering the
area as well.
“For three days we intend to do what we have always
done,” said Joe Bill Forbister. “This land has fed us
and will always feed us. Whether what we do is
recognized by anyone else really doesn’t matter.”
Driving back to camp, Matt and I passed by a small
clear-cut area. I remarked to Matt that it looked like
a nuclear bomb had been dropped.
* Christopher Brown will be participating in CPT
training this January.
