The growing movement of #Indigenous leaders across #NorthernOntario opposing #NuclearWaste dump
'We live off the land every day. It’s the most precious food market we have in the world'
October 3, 2024
Jon Thompson
"#FirstNations opposing nuclear waste burial in northwestern Ontario are growing in number and are now mobilizing across the region.
"A fledgling movement of Indigenous leaders hosted a small rally with non-Indigenous allies in #ThunderBay on Wednesday, with a refrain of 'Gaa-Wiin,' the #Anishinaabemowin word meaning 'no' to nuclear waste burial.
"The demonstration followed a letter signed by nine chiefs last week, asking the Nuclear Waste Management Organization to respect their will not to bury Canada’s most #radioactive nuclear waste in a #DeepRepository site between the town of #Ignace and #WabigoonLake #Ojibway First Nation.
"The #NWMO is expected to issue a final decision by year’s end as to whether it will transport used #NuclearFuel, produced since the 1960s, by either train or highway over 1,600 kilometres to a deep geological repository. If the Ignace is chosen over Bruce County, where nuclear energy and its waste is produced, transportation would begin in the 2040s and will take 40 years to complete.
"Although the site selection process has been underway for 20 years, the looming final decision has prompted political actions, including a larger #ThunderBay demonstration in April and a march last month along the highway near the proposed site.
"'I don’t know why some people just don’t understand,' Asubpeeschoseewagong #Anishinabek (#GrassyNarrows First Nation) #ChiefRudyTurtle told the crowd of around 300 people. 'It’s so simple: no means no. That’s all it is. Why can’t you understand that? We are saying no, we don’t want nuclear waste.'"
"Thirteen First Nations have now signed on to last week’s statement opposing the repository, including #NorthwestAngle #33, whose leadership committed to the cause on Wednesday. Signatories include #FortWilliamFirstNation, #Gakijiwanong #Anishinaabe (#LacLaCroix First Nation), #GullBayFirstNation, #Kitchenuhmaykoosib #Inninuwug (#BigTroutLake First Nation), #MuskratDam First Nation, #Neskantaga First Nation, #NetmizaaggamigNishnaabeg (Pic Mobert First Nation), #Ojibways of #Onigaming, #ShoalLake #40 First Nation, #Wapekeka First Nation, #WauzhushkOnigum Nation."