Nor’Wester Fight Continues to Save Mountains

THUNDER BAY – Politics – The Fort William First Nation, the Province of Ontario, Municipality of Neebing and the Big Thunder Wind Farm project put forward by Horizon Wind Energy is the subject of a closed door meeting in Thunder Bay today.

Over the course of the summer and into the fall the wind company has been cutting trees and putting in roadways on the Nor’Westers. During the entire time, Fort William First Nation has stated there have been no consultations with the First Nation and those are required by both tradition and by law.

Fight to Save the Mountains

Sambow Boucher states, “My connection to the land, the lake and the mountain come from my childhood before I was taken away from my community”. Returning to Thunder Mountain has brought Sam back from the fight against addictions that he first tried to overcome the abuse he suffered. Re-discovering his culture and his roots and spirituality has put Sam on the Red Path. Sam now vows to save the live of the mountains that saved his life.

The fight to prevent what First Nations members on the Fort William First Nation say will be the tragic loss of this vital and spiritually significant area will escalate according to Boucher.

“I will stay out there all winter long if I have to,” stated Boucher.

Closed Door Meeting

The rally to protect the Loch Lomond Watershed area brought out as many people on a very cold day as a rally last summer.

Progressive Conservative candidate in the Thunder Bay Atikokan Riding Harold Wilson was out in the cold rallying.

Political Implications for Thunder Bay Atikokan

Wyatt Bannon, a Councillor with Fort William First Nation told NetNewsledger that this is going to get political. The Councillor states that he will get out the vote in Thunder Bay Atikokan. While Bannon doesn’t say which candidate Fort William First Nation will support, he is willing to state it will not be a candidate from a party which supports the wind farm.

Incumbent Liberal MPP Bill Mauro won the last provincial election with a 452 vote majority. A major effort from the Fort William First Nation and Aboriginal Community in the riding could have a serious impact on the election

Meeting Interrupted

The meeting was interrupted, not by protestors, but rather a fire alarm at the Victoria Inn. The alarm brought two Thunder Bay Fire Rescue.