Environmental racism at Fisher Harbour

Nipissing First Nation
News Release

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The Treaty and Aboriginal Rights of the Anishinabek are being infringed upon by transport of illegal materials into Fisher Harbour on the traditional territory of Whitefish River First Nation.

"This is a case of environmental racism," says Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee. "Alexander Centre Industries, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of the Environment have only measured the impacts in certain segments of the environment without considering the loss of First Nation peoples' ways of life."

Since 2003, Whitefish River First Nation has been objecting to the storage and shipping of flux sand, salt and other metal concentrates at Fisher Harbour, not far from sacred Anishinabek sites at Bell and Dream's Rock and the ancient burial grounds.

"Constant noise from ship and transport trucks at Fisher Harbour is intruding and interfering with our rights to practice sacred ceremonies, traditions and customs," said Madahbee. "There is also a continued lack of enforcement by government officials regarding illegal use by Alexander for these shipments. On numerous occasions, both provincial ministries have failed to properly consult and accommodate Whitefish River First Nation and other communities about this inappropriate activity at Fisher Harbour."

The Grand Council Chief said runoff from salt piles are an urgent environmental concern.

Alexander Centre Industries Ltd. has submitted a proposal to renew the water lot lease and to amend the commodity list of material that can be stored or shipped at Fisher Harbour and has ignored requests for additional consultation and accommodation outside of the Environmental Assessment.

Madahbee said the MNR and Anishinabek jointly identified significant cultural sites in the area that are not being protected by current industrial activity, and that other concerns related to water quality, habitat disruption, species at risk, bioaccumulation of toxic substances within the food chain and ecosystem, shoreline degradation, noise pollution and their long-term effects.

Government officials have also not responded to an asserted land claim to Little LaCloche Island, which was never surrendered to the Crown.

The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its political advocate and secretariat in 1949. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires that have existed long before European contact.

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