Canadian Cree Nation declares Permanent Uranium Moratorium

Published by MAC on 2012-08-13
Source: Grand Council of the Crees

James Bay Cree Nation Permanent Uranium Moratorium in James Bay Territory

Crees "determined to protect our way of life against the unique and grave threat posed by uranium mining and waste, today and for thousands of years to come".

Grand Council of the Crees statement

9 August 2012

Waskaganish, Eeyou Istchee - The James Bay Cree Nation has declared a Permanent Moratorium on uranium exploration, uranium mining and uranium waste emplacement in Eeyou Istchee, the James Bay Cree territory. The permanent moratorium was enacted unanimously by the Annual Cree Nation General Assembly in Waskaganish.

"The risks inherent in uranium exploration, mining, milling, refining and transport, and in radioactive and toxic uranium mining waste, are incompatible with our stewardship responsibilities in Eeyou Istchee," the Resolution declares.

"The Cree Nation is determined to protect our economies and way of life against the unique and grave threat posed by uranium mining and uranium waste, today and for thousands of years to come," said Grand Chief Dr. Matthew Coon Come. "We are not opposed to sustainable and equitable mining and other industrial and resource development activities in Eeyou Istchee - but the toxic and radiation risks created by uranium mining and uranium waste are unique in scale and duration."

"Uranium moratoriums have been enacted by the governments of British Columbia and Nova Scotia, as well as other foreign jurisdictions, without affecting other mining and resource development activities," Grand Chief Coon Come told the Cree Assembly. "We anticipate that all Québécoises and Québécois, once they know the facts, will join us in this minimal stand of prudent stewardship."

Recent global increases in uranium prices have spurred significant uranium exploration activities in Eeyou Istchee. The most advanced uranium project to date in Eeyou Istchee is at the Matoush uranium ore body site near the Cree community of Mistissini. Strateco Resources Inc. has requested regulatory approval to conduct an advanced
exploration project at Matoush, with the stated intention of determining the feasibility of a uranium mine and mill at this site.

"The Crees of Mistissini have declared our strong opposition to uranium mining in Eeyou Istchee," said Chief Richard Shecapio, Chief of the Cree Nation of Mistissini. "We never doubted that the Cree Nation as a whole would stand with us in unity and strength."

The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) is the political body that represents the Eeyouch, the James Bay Cree people.

The resolution is available a http://www.gcc.ca/pdf/Uranium-resolution-English.pdf