Nipissing First Nation calls for release of the KI Chief

Nipissing First Nation
News Release

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Nipissing First Nation – The Chief and Council today joined many other First Nations across Canada in announcing their support for the Chief and Council of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation and condemning the actions of the Ontario Government and Superior Court Justice Patrick Smith.

“We believe that the actions of the Court and the Ontario government continue a pattern that is all too familiar to First Nations, stated Chief Marianna Couchie. “The interests of business are put ahead of the constitutionally protected rights of our people and now those who are charged with the responsibility for defending those rights are sitting in jail. This is unjust, unfair and we view the KI Chief and Council as political prisoners.”

The rights of the people of KI are well documented and the process that allowed Platinex Inc. to explore in their traditional territory is flawed. “The Ontario government has known for years that First Nations have consultation and accommodation concerns as it relates to resource extraction in the north”, stated Chief Couchie. “Our positions and concerns on these issues are well documented yet the government of Ontario continues to ignore the concerns of KI and the concerns of First Nations in Ontario. Now that the Council in KI is standing up and defending these positions in order to protect their treaty rights and the environment their people live in, they languish in jail.”

Chief Couchie attended the Special Council meeting in Thunder Bay on April 2 that discussed options to support the KI First Nation and their Council. The Nipissing First Nation Council will be meeting to review this matter and decide on further measures that may be taken in support of KI. “It is a real black mark for the Ontario government and poses serious threats to further development in the north. Further, it sends the message to our people that they will be thrown in jail if they defend their rights. The message to our youth is that there are two justice systems, one for businesses and non-native interests and one for the Indians”, she continued.

Nipissing First Nation calls for the immediate release of the KI Chief and Council and a return to negotiations to deal with the concerns of the community.

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