ACFN members protest Municipal Council’s refusal to meet with its Chief and Council about creation of outstanding reserve lands

Fort Chipewyan, June 21, 2011- Today the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) Chief and council, band members and local Fort Chipewyan residents are holding a peaceful protest on the steps of the Provincial Building in Fort McMurray, Alberta on from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm to draw attention to unresolved treaty land issues and treaty infringements made by both the provincial and federal governments.  In addition, ACFN hopes this rally will inform the public about the arbitrary and disrespectful manner in which the Regional Municipality has treated the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

This protest was prompted by ACFN’s recent application for lands in the hamlet of Fort Chipewyan to be transferred to reserve status under outstanding treaty land entitlement. However, a letter from Deputy Mayor Scott dated May 26, 2011 stated he was unwilling to meet with First Nation leadership to discuss the creation of these outstanding and rightfully owed reserve lands. According to Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Natiion, “This request arises from our attempt to achieve meaningful Treaty rights and to settle a long standing court dispute between the First Nation and Canada based on events from the 1950’s and 60’s.”

The transfer of these lands to Reserve status is supported by local residents in Fort Chipewyan, including the Mikisew Cree First Nation, the Metis Local, as well as the Government of Canada.  In addition, over 90% of the lands at issue are traditional lands currently owned by Canada and occupied by ACFN members or its service agencies.  “The ACFN has been using these lands for decades, and our people have been on and part of those traditional lands since time immemorial” says Chief Adam.

Chief Allan Adam has asked Mayor Blake to meet to talk about this issue for the last three years. His requests from 2008, 2009 and 2010 have gone unanswered and the only response has been the May 26th refusal by the Regional Municipality to talk about the issue.

According to Deputy Mayor Scott “the [ACFN] proposal does not advance the interests of the hamlet or the residents generally”.  In response Chief Adam remarks, “We are offended by the Deputy Mayor’s presumption that he knows what is best for the residents of Fort Chipewyan, 80% of whom are Aboriginal. The Deputy Mayor’s comments smack of the paternalism that we hoped was long since dead.”

Chief Allan lamented “Our Council and our community members are offended by the lack of respect shown by the Deputy Mayor.  He made this decision without meeting with us and without the consent of the two Fort Chipewyan Municipal Councillors.   Furthermore, we had hopes of meeting with the Mayor so we could educate her and the Council about our plans, which will result in important benefits for our community, settle a pending court case, and address the concerns of the Municipal Council.  It saddens me to have to take this approach, but it appears to be the only way to get the attention of the Regional Municipality.”

Chief Allan further states, “We are also exploring other legal and political initiatives.  This issue is not going away”.

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For additional information, please contact:

Chief Allan Adam – 780-713-1220

Eriel Deranger – 780-903-6598

Tar sands destruction hits home, but the world stands UP!

Blogpost by Melina Laboucan-Massimo - June 18, 2011

The impact of the tar sands really hit home for me last month, when a pipeline ruptured, in what was one of the largest oil spills in Alberta’s history only 7 km from where my family lives. Over 28,000 barrels of oil from a pipeline spilled throughout the forest and into the muskeg. The school in the community was suspended for over a week due to the pervasive noxious odors in the community.

This photo essay (below right) tells that story, and how it is connected to a longer history of destruction and exploitation on the Lubicon Cree’s traditional lands.

So it was particularly important for me to be part of the International Days of Action Against the Tar Sands that we kicked off today here in Alberta. It’s also great to know that similar events are taking place in over 20 countries in Europe, 25 cities across the United States, 12 cities in Canada, and as far as New Zealand and Australia.

All across the globe we see people standing up and saying NO to this type of dirty fossil fuel development. People are recognizing that the world does not want or need tar sands. And in reality we simply cannot afford it - locally nor globally.

On the steps of the Alberta Legislature where many of the decisions are made about tar sands expansion we held a rally to say to this government that we do not support their unabated and irresponsible management of the tar sands here in Alberta.

Nor is my community unique: We see oil spills around the world from the Gulf Coast of Mexico, Norway's arctic north to the Kalamazoo River in Michigan.

We have a choice – we have a choice to turn away from this path. We need a just renewable energy path. One that will not rob our future generations of the fundamental pillars of life: Clean air, Good water, and a Healthy Environment for ALL.

International Stop the Tar Sands Day

During this years International Stop the Tar Sands Day, the Indigenous Environmental Network organized “The Tar Sands Weiner Roast” in Ottawa, Canada’s capitol city. It took place at the eternal flame in front of Parliament. Politicians of all stripes and their oil executive cronies showed up on parliament hill to roast their favourite programs so they can feed the impoverished oil industry... until they were confronted by he Tar Sands Activists. Click image to the left to view more images from the Tar Sands Weiner Roast.