MOTHER EARTH UNDER ATTACK
Story by Danny Beaton (Turtle Clan Mohawk)
In Memory of Alicja Rozanska
Our Sacred Fires and Fire Keepers are needed more than ever. Pipe Carriers and Sweat Lodge Leaders focus on healing our elders and leaders, who will defend our children’s and their children’s future.
The Tar Sands mega project in Alberta started the dirtiest oil extraction in the world, fully documented by Environmental Defence Canada. It is the biggest source of Climate Change, Global Warming and Turbulent Weather, especially affecting with massive contamination tribes such as Cree, Athabaskan, Dene, and Gwitchin. The extent of land and water pollution is far beyond any scientist would imagine: the Athabaskan River and Mackenzie have been contaminated since the 1990s and groundwater toxins have reached the ocean.
The Anishinaabe brought their urgent message of environmental genocide to Toronto, while Chief Rudy Turtle of Grass Narrows, Elder Moonias of Neskantaga and Cecilia Begg of Kitchenuhmaykoosib-Inninuwug said contamination and pollution date back to 1962. Logging and mining have also poisoned Attawapiskat Community in James Bay up to Swamp Cree Communities, with groundwater contamination and polar bear and Beluga Whale with cancer from diamond mining. The Anishinaabe want protection for their children’s children and all species, if their Traditional Culture is to stay healthy and strong. They have travelled by canoe from Attawapiskat and set up a blockade to bring attention to The Ring of Fire mining, which is being promoted as the future for Ontario’s Economy. Indigenous leaders and elders are concerned about Mother Earth’s natural economy and the hunting and trap lines that will be threatened. When you look down at Northern Ontario from a plane, you see the majestic wonderland of the Boreal Forest, the largest intact forest in the world.
Chief Oren Lyons, 94 years old, said: “Our forests are our Refuge and homeland, where we grew up and live. We have also always traveled by rivers, Great Lakes, so we need clean pure water for our Seven Generations to come.” Wilmer Nadjiwon, Anishinaabe chief for 14 years, said: “When I was growing up in Cape Croker, you could bring home deer and fish to feed a family and community. Even now you can go for a walk and count 30 or 40 deer in one night. Our animals still have a good life here, but we must protect our Sacred Mother Earth. We must work together in unity to achieve our goals.” Anishinaabe/Ojibway and Cree people need the support of southern tribes now. No one has the right to sell Indigenous Territories or homeland.
We need positive thinkers to speak out for Sacred Mother Earth and our Children’s Children. Our elders, chiefs and Clan Mothers have told us over and over that peace, unity, equality are the natural law, The Great Law, thanks to which people coming together for justice and harmony can help all life survive and be happy. Mohawks, Cree, Anishinaabe/Ojibway and all southern tribes have the Spirit of Our Ancestors to guide us in our way of life and ceremonies. Great Spirit watch over us and guide us.
In the Spirit of Our Ancestors