TORONTO – “On behalf of Aroland and Ginoogaming First Nations, and all those who believe in duty to consult and Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), I urge supporters to attend tomorrow’s court challenge against TransCanada Pipeline, the National Energy Board, and the Government of Canada,” said Regional Chief Day. “At stake here is the First Nation right to prevent any further activity on pipelines that were built on their lands without prior knowledge or consent.”
“Aroland First Nation Chief Dorothy Towedo and Ginoogaming First Nation Chief Celia Echum, along with council members, are traveling hundreds of kilometres to attend the first day of tomorrow’s court challenge. They have asked me to make a call for supporters from all sectors of society,” said Regional Chief Day. “Our Peoples were never consulted when pipelines were built through our lands. Today, our Peoples in Ontario, and across Canada, are still fighting for FPIC and the right to say ‘no’ to any future developments within our own jurisdiction and decision-making authority.”
To quote Chief Towedo: “That means that intrusive work like ‘integrity digs’ where they dig up part of the pipeline to repair or replace it, should no longer happen without the Crown and the company first engaging with and protecting impacts against the First Nations who live and are from there.”
To quote Chief Echum: “We are very hopeful that Canadian law will go in the direction it needs to, so that our identities and rights are not steamrolled over by all this pipeline work.”
The case beings tomorrow, Wednesday, June 6th, at 9:30 a.m. in the Superior Court of Justice, 393 University Avenue, Room 804 (8th floor) in downtown Toronto.
Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day
