TORONTO (January 22, 2007) – The Oneida Nation of the Thames, supported by the Chippewas of the Thames and Munsee-Deleware Nation are initiating a court action to thwart the proposed sale of the Green Lane landfill site to the City of Toronto. The sale, and a recent environmental Certificate of Approval paves the way to the diversion of Toronto garbage to Green Lane and into the traditional territory of the Anishinabek, Oneida and Deleware Nations.
These three First Nations represent all First Nations interests in the London area, which includes the site of the Green Lane landfill. These First Nations, with the support of the Union of Ontario Indians and the Chiefs of Ontario will oppose any action that may lead to the directing Toronto’s garbage to First Nations’ traditional territory.
Grand Council Chief John Beaucage states: “The sale of the Green Lane landfill site represents a call to battle for our people. We will not tolerate such a threat to our lands and waters. The Anishinabek Nation unequivocally supports this action and will take whatever measures necessary to protect the traditional territory of the Anishinabek Nation.”
“We have tried, through the “good neighbor” concept proposed by Mayor Miller in reaching some sort of Agreement on how to address our concerns, but the Mayor continues to claim that the City of Toronto has no such obligation to meet with us,” stated Chief Randall Phillips of the Oneida Nation of the Thames. “Our elected Council sees no other alternative but to ask the Court to intervene. We have some very serious concerns regarding the changes made in the new Certificate of Approval that will allow changes to the current operating conditions. Our actions today are intended to challenge the validity of that Certificate of Approval.”
“Court papers have been filed, and should be served on the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto today,” said Chief Kelly Riley of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. “The proposal to divert Toronto’s garbage should not be allowed as Green Lane is located very close to Oneida and is located across the Thames River from Chippewa and Muncey.”
Both the City of Toronto and the provincial government have been taken to task over their lack of consultation with the affected First Nations.
“It is frustrating to always be the ball in these political tennis matches. Neither the Government of Ontario or the City of Toronto want to acknowledge their Constitutional obligations to consult, accommodate and/or compensate First Nations when Rights are being threaten,” said Chief Phillips.
The application for judicial review cites that the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario failed to adequately consult with and accommodate the interests of the local First Nation with regard to the sale, and the proposed terms and conditions of the Certificate of Approval. The 2006 Certificate of Approval, issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, enabling the former owner to increase the volume of refuse dramatically. According to the City of Toronto: “The purchase provides the City with a reliable and environmentally sound landfill, giving the City options for short and long term waste disposal. With an aggressive diversion plan, the purchase provides Toronto with a disposal capacity of 13 million tonnes for a minimum of 15 years.” To date the City of Toronto has been making use of a landfill in the State of Michigan.
A deeper issue concerning the area Chiefs is that each of the three First Nations draw their drinking water from an aquifer which is located under the Thames River.
“There are also significant concern for the health of our people, our land and the quality of our water,” said Chief Riley.
The Right to survive in a clean and healthy environment must be considered a fundamental Human Right, and if there is threat to that Right, remedies to limit, reduce and/or eliminate that threat should be discussed in detail. Surely the citizens of Toronto and Ontario would agree with that,” added Chief Phillips.
First Nation concern has been strong and varied and the leadership have taken action as a result of this growing, grassroots concern.
“Band members have heard media reports alleging that medical waste has been detected in some of those truckloads headed into Michigan. I have some knowledge based on people that work within this particular industry that the dumping of hazardous materials has occurred in the past, added Chief Riley.
The Green Lane Landfill Site is located in Part of Lots 21, 22 and 23, Concession III, north of Highway 401, in Southwold Township, County of Elgin. southwest of the City of London.
The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42-member First Nations across Ontario . The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
January 22, 2007
First Nations launch court action over Toronto landfill
January 18, 2007
In Memoriam: The Late Leda McLeod
It is with great sadness in my family that I announce the passing of our matriarch, Leda McLeod-Shabogesic (nee Couchie). She passed yesterday afternoon, January 17, 2007. Grandma leaves behind an proud and amazing legacy, her family. Dwyla, Fred (Kay), Eleanor (Albert), Linda (Henry), Leda, Joan, Barbara, Theresa, Lori-anne, Jacqueline (Glen), Jeanette, Phyllis (John), Angus, Larry (Darlene), Darlene, Deborah (Derrick), Nancy (Peter), Tammy (Conrad), and many more grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will miss her greatly, in the community of Nipissing First Nation and in her church, the Holy Spirit Parish on Garden Village. She was an elder in the church and travelled to the Holy Land and seen Pope John Paul II in Midland, Ontario back in 1984. Before Christmas, I visited her in the hospital and gave her a floral arrangement with a beautiful, copper church-spire. If she couldn’t go to church, I would bring the church to her. On my last visit with her, last Saturday, it was really moving. She was in palliative care during her last days. She had been almost 30 days without food and very little water. She wasn’t responsive, expect for responding to pain. However, during my visit, she attempted to wake. She tried to speak and asked for water. My aunt Nancy and Lee spoke to her. When Nancy said “and Bobby’s here”… she responded and tried hard to open here eyes. As Lee and Nancy held her and whispered to her, she was responsive and was aware that she was being cared for and wasn’t alone. She passed peacefully among many of her children after a afternoon prayer vigil in her hospital room.
January 15, 2007
Bob-Bob’s got a brand new bag!
Boozhoo niidwaymaaginidoog:
It’s been a few weeks since I have written in this space. I apologize it you’ve been waiting for an update, but I’m sure you have other reading to do.
What’s been going on:
Where the heck is the snow? Sure we’ve got a few centimetres on the ground. (Most of it came this morning, and last week). But it’s been unseasonable warm with strange precipitation patterns. As an Anishinaabe, this weather really concerns me. We all need to do more about global climate change, such as global warming. Let’s all do more about this as individuals. Using only CFC-free products, using public transportation, reduce-reuse-recycle. I’m going to try to do something once a week.
Cuba… I had an amazing time in Cuba over the New Year. Spent a week at the Royal Hideaway-Ensanachos, near Cayo Santa Maria on the northern coast of Cuba. The resort was amazing, the food was excellent and the weather was great. I definitely recommend this resort, and will do everything humanly possible to return there soon.
Pancreatis… My mom was in the hospital last week with an attach/inflammation of the pancreas. She’s OK now and got out on Saturday morning. She will need to see a specialist about surgery to remove her gallbladder. Until then, she is reserved to only eat low-fat and no-fat foods, either baked, boiled or broiled.
My own health… Seen the doctor twice in the past two weeks. While in Cuba, I caught a virus that gave me a bad sore throat. At one point I was having trouble breathing, eating and sleeping. I had to see the Resort M.D. Anti-biotics, anti-inflammatory and a losenge. Today, I went for a check-up and some regular tests with my own Doctor. Everything looks good and I’m feeling good
Community Tragedy… My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Davis Armstrong. I am doing what I can to ensure a tragedy like this doesn’t repeat itself in our community. I’m not going to write about it. I’m not going to make it public. But I am going to do something. I didn’t know him well, but he was such a nice man. He was hard working and personable. I’m sorry if I failed you, Davis. There is nothing to worry about anymore.
My Grandma… It has been an inspiration to see my mom’s brothers and sisters continuing their vigil at the West Nipissing General Hospital, day after day and night after night. My grandmother Leda McLeod has been in hospital for over 30 days now. She has been in and out battling a wide range of system and organ failure. As of now, she is in palliative care. But she has been very strong.