The Koper Lake blockade is still being manned by Marten Falls and Webequie protesters.

February 18, 2010: Volume 37 #4, Page A1

“The protest is still happening – it is still up and we will have that up until we get our demands addressed,” said Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse during the Matawa First Nations Mineral Exploration Mining Symposium, held Feb. 9-10 in Thunder Bay. “It’s sending a message to the government and also to the mining companies.”

Wabasse said the mineral exploration companies have been responding to the communities’ concerns since the blockade went up Jan. 18 on Koper Lake in the Ring of Fire.

“They are responding as we had thought,” Wabasse said. “We hope to get the response or get our demands addressed.”

Wabasse said Webequie and Marten Falls have been getting support from other First Nation communities.

“They know we have one common goal in mind, to start working relationships and also to benefit other First Nations as well,” Wabasse said. “If we don’t get the response we are looking for, we may have to look at other places for assistance to get the response we are looking for.”

Blockade could end Feb. 18 if conditions met

Wabasse was pleased to see the number of mineral exploration companies that took part in the Mineral Exploration Mining Symposium.

“It is good for them to participate in the mining symposium – trying to learn from us what we want and what we expect from the mining industry,” Wabasse said.

“I’m just looking forward to working with the mining companies and the government in the mining industry.”

Noront Resources CEO Wes Hanson said his company is currently negotiating with the communities over the blockade.

“We have had a dialogue ever since the protest started,” Hanson said during the Mineral Exploration Mining Symposium.

“Both sides are still active at the negotiating table, trying to find a solution.”

Hanson said the drillers have left his company’s camp but the geologists and support staff are still working at the camp.

“Most of our people in camp are geologists and our support staff,” Hanson said.

“They are keeping the tents warm and the snow shovelled, doing a little bit of high brow work – geology stuff and interpretation.”

Hanson said his company had planned the largest program in the Ring of Fire for this January, February and March.

“I think some of the other companies were planning a later start to their work program,” Hanson said. “I don’t think it is impacting them as much as it is us, but I still believe it is important as a show of good faith Noront not break the spirit of the protest or blockade and we adhere to the wishes of the community until we can find a settlement.”

Marten Falls has presented a memorandum of agreement to the major players in the Ring of Fire outlining the 10 issues that need to be resolved before the blockade will end: expedition of airport construction, expedition of both band and business interests, elimination of extensive lake usage as landing strips, enforcement of accommodation and compensation, enforcement of environmental accountability, establishment of a consistent environmental assessment process, establishment of protocol for mutual business development, enlistment of the winter road corridor, establishment of land-use planning and clawback and compensation for the corridor.

“We are against development where we have no input,” said Marten Falls Chief Elijah Moonias. “We want to ensure long-term benefits from development in our treaty-protected territory.

“If all parties involved agree to settle our issues in the next six months, we will end the blockade on Feb. 18.

“If there is not agreement and we are forced to continue with the blockade, we will ask other experienced people to help.”