Take Action - Support the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation

Stop Frontenac Ventures Corp. (FVC) uranium mining - Moratorium Now!
Free Political Prisoner Bob Lovelace!
Reverse all Court Decisions Relating to AAFN co-Chief Paula Sherman!

More information below or click HERE and HERE

For a listing of related Peterborough events click HERE
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Please consider offering financial support to the on-going struggle of the AAFN to reclaim their lands and resist FVC's destructive behavior targeting Turtle Island.

The AAFN is asking supporters to please send donations for legal fees and household maintenance. Cheques can be made out to "Chris Reid, in trust for the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation" and sent to the address below:
Christopher M. Reid
Barrister & Solicitor
154 Monarch Park Ave.
Toronto, ON M4J 4R6
Tel: (416) 466-9928
Fax: (416) 466-1852

To The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU), whose mandate
is raising public awareness on the uranium issuing and achieving a moratorium.
Please make cheques out to: "Uranium Mining Moratorium Fund" and mail to: 83 Cockburn St., Perth, ON K7H 2B7
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Click HERE to sign the Petition to Dalton McGuinty urging him to respond to the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation proposal for resolution.

Be aware that after entering your name and e-mail address on the petition, it will take you to a screen requesting donations for iPetition. At this point your name has already been entered on the petition, and you are under no obligation to donate to iPetition.
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ARDOCH ALGONQUIN FIRST NATION
(613) 329-3706 omamikwe@bell.blackberry.net
Media Advisory - February 22, 2008

FREE BOB LOVELACE – RALLY
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Sat. February 23
Quinte Detention Centre, Napanee

Last week, AAFN Spokesperson Robert Lovelace was sentenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Kingston to 6 months incarceration and stiff fines for upholding Algonquin law forbidding uranium mining within our homeland. In addition, our community was fined $10,000 and Chief Paula Sherman $15,000, and our statement of defense was struck out, which means that we are forbidden from challenging the constitutional validity of Ontario’s Mining Act. With support from the lawyers representing Premier McGuinty and Michael Bryant, Ontario’s Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, the court made it clear that the interests of the mining industry trump the
rights of First Nations and all people who care about protecting our homeland.

Shouts of “shame!” erupted in the courtroom as the sentences were read by Justice Cunningham and Bob was taken into custody. Many were shocked by the harshness of the sentence imposed for participation in a peaceful protest against a uranium exploration project which was approved by McGuinty without any consultation with our community.

Chief Paula Sherman said: “No consideration was given to the circumstances that led to our actions. The testimony given under oath by Bob Lovelace outlined Algonquin Law and the corresponding responsibilities of Algonquin people with respect to human activity in our territory. Bob also testified that the government of Dalton McGuinty, and his Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael Bryant, have consistently refused to consult
with our community on uranium exploration. All this was tossed aside by the judge. The message delivered clearly is one of domination and oppression; the government of Ontario will enforce one set of values with respect to human relationships with the land and there is no room for First Nations laws or values.”

Bob Lovelace is now in jail in Quinte Correctional facility in Napanee. Chief Sherman said: “He is a prisoner of the government of Ontario, and the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation places blame for this mess on Premier McGuinty and Michael Bryant. We have repeatedly asked for consultations on the mineral claims on our lands. We have offered Ontario several options for consultations. Every option was rejected out of hand. Our
position is clear and just: Meaningful consultation must occur before any of our land is damaged or given away to mining companies.”

For more information, contact: Chief Paula Sherman (613) 329-3706
or Chris Reid (lawyer) (416) 666-2914
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ARDOCH ALGONQUIN FIRST NATION PRESS RELEASE:
February 19, 2008
Jailing Aboriginal Leaders to Promote Uranium Mining in Ontario

In a travesty of justice, AAFN Spokesperson Robert Lovelace was sentenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Kingston to 6 months incarceration and crippling fines amounting to $25,000 for upholding Algonquin law within our homeland. An additional sanction of $2,000 per day will be imposed for every day that Bob continues to obey our law rather than the court order.

In addition, our community was fined $10,000 and Chief Paula Sherman $15,000, and our statement of defense was struck out, which means that we are forbidden from challenging the constitutional validity of Ontario's Mining Act. The court made it clear that First Nations' laws do not exist in Canada legal system and anyone who tries to follow First Nations law will be severely punished.

Shouts of "shame!" erupted in the courtroom as the sentences were read by the judge and Robert was taken into custody. Many were aghast at the harshness of the sentencing imposed for participation in a peaceful protest against uranium exploration which was approved by the province of Ontario without any consultation with our community.

Chief Paula Sherman said: "No consideration was given to the circumstances that led to our actions. The testimony given under oath by Robert Lovelace outlined Algonquin Law and the corresponding responsibilities of Algonquin people with respect to human activity in our territory. It was tossed aside by the judge and deemed to be of no relevance. The message delivered clearly through this court decision is one of domination and oppression; the law will enforce one set of values with respect to human relationships with the land in Ontario and there is no room for Algonquin laws or values."

Ontario and Canada portray themselves as shining examples of democracy and human rights for the world to emulate, all the while creating laws, policies, and value systems that oppress and deny Aboriginal peoples' human right to life as distinct people. Robert testified that Algonquin identity is tied to the relationships that we maintain with the land.

Lovelace is now in jail in Quinte Correctional facility in Napanee. Chief Sherman said: "He is a political prisoner of the Government of Ontario and Ardoch Algonquin First Nation places blame for his incarceration on Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael Bryant. We have repeatedly asked for consultations on the mineral claims on our lands within the larger Algonquin homeland. We have offered Ontario a variety of options to enable consultation. Every option was rejected out of hand.

Ontario's position has been consistent: Drilling on our land must occur. Our position has equally been consistent: Meaningful consultation must occur before any of our land is damaged or alienated to mining companies.