Algonquins Issue Legal Warning Over Adams Mine Water Permits
Published by MAC on 2003-07-23
Algonquins Issue Legal Warning Over Adams Mine Water Permits
July 23, 2003
Press release from Timiskamign First Nation
Notre Dame du Nord - The Ontario Ministry of Environment has been warned not to allow the dewatering of the Adams Mine pit. The warning was issued by the legal counsel of Timiskaming First Nation (TFN). The letter was sent in response to news that the MOE is considering an application by Adams Mine Rail Haul to begin draining the South Pit of Adams Mine. The pit has formed into a man-made lake, with groundwater flowing through its many cracks and fractures.
The letter, issued by the respected law firm Nahwegahbow, Nadjiwan, Corbiere, states: “In light of…our client’s legal interest in and around the Adams mine site, we insist that a dewatering permit not be issued to the applicants. The Timiskaming First Nation will continue to assert and defend its right to prevent infringements of its title and environmental contamination of its territory.”
In the fall of 2000, the TFN led a blockade of the Adams Mine road – a move that was widely seen as helping to crush the billion dollar deal. Timiskaming First Nation has never signed away its land rights in the region and continues to assert unextinguished Aboriginal Title over the waters that the Algonquin people call “Mamowedewin.”
Acting Chief Beverly Chevrier Polson says the Algonquin people will not allow the Ministry of Environment to override the First Nation interest in protecting the watershed.
“Our people continue to work actively with other First Nations and non-Aboriginals to ensure Adams Mine will not be used as a dump,” says Chief Polson. “We will not sit back while our legal and Aboriginal rights are abused in this process. We are putting the Ontario government on notice that we will stand up for our rights.”
The attempt to begin dewatering the pit is being made even though the company doesn’t have any contracts for waste. The move is seen as an attempt to create an “on the ground fact” before the present pro-Adams Mine Conservative government falls.