Meet the Mamow graduates PAGES 9 to 11
Fort Albany gets into the green PAGE 12
Vol. 38 #04
Seven Sacred Teachings PAGES B1 to B5
February 17, 2011
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Louttit ponders mining halt
Eagles soar
James Thom Wawatay News
Joy Fox/Wawatay News
Kasabonika Eagles were victorious against the Weagamow Knights 10-0 in Bantam-A action at the Little Bands Native Youth Hockey Tournament in Sioux Lookout Feb. 14. For complete coverage of the tournament see the March 3 issue of Wawatay News. Live streaming is also available at wawataynews.ca Feb. 18-20.
ᓛᑎᐟ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᓀᐣᑕᑦ ᑫᑭᐱᒋᐢᑕᐊᐧᓄᑫᐧ ᑲᐃᐧᒧᓇᐦᐃᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ
ᑲᓇᐧᐊᐸᑕ ᐸᐢᑫᑭᓂᑲᐣ 16
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On the heels of what he called a “very successful and informative” conference about Treaty 9, Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit said mining development may be temporarily stopped in the territory. “We are preparing a legal strategy,” Louttit said after the conference ended Feb. 3. “We may move to a formal court injunction or a court challenge. We are examining all our options at this time.” The James Bay Treaty – Treaty No. 9 Conference was in Fort Albany Feb. 1-3. It discussed legal and historical aspects of the treaty as well as what action should be taken to have Treaty 9 recognized by the crown. The decision to examine a legal strategy is based on new information which recently came to light in a new book, Treaty No. 9: Making the Agreement to Share the Land in Far Northern Ontario in 1905. In the book, revelations are made by a third treaty commissioner in a diary. “We are currently in the process of engaging our member First Nations regarding this issue and having discussions and presentations with government officials as well,” Louttit said. The book, by John C. Long, includes the neglected account of a third commissioner – Daniel (George) MacMartin – and traces the treaty’s origins to the present day. Louttit said this issue was discussed at length during the conference, which included about 300 delegates – youth, Elders and political officials including National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. “It was very important to us to have the youth involved because this issue will affect them significantly,” Louttit said. “They need to know the truth about the treaty. Not what was written down but what was orally discussed. “The presence of the youth and children at our conference signifies the extreme importance of our treaty and brings significant meaning, inspiration and empowerment to the chiefs, Elders and all present.” Fort Albany youth Tina Williams found it helpful to attend. “We don’t know anything about Treaty 9,” she said. “We want something better for the future and we need to make things happen. Enough talking.” Louttit is not suggesting renegotiating the treaty. He simply wants it to be honoured. “Our Elders have said this all along and yet it remains a constant battle for our people today to exert their rights to hunt, trap and fish on the land in order to feed their families and communities. Our inherent rights must be respected.” see YOUTH page 16