Protecting Our Mother - Walk to Toronto spring/summer 2008

It was very moving to hear the KI Youth talk at the rally about what they think about what is happening to their leaders. Cecilia Begg's grandson and his partner are very proud of their grandmother and appreciate the leadership she is providing for their son, Cecilia's great grandson. Darryl Sainnawap wrote a speech which one of the youth read. Someone read a piece from his partner Jessie who talked about how their two-year-old son was affected by his father's jailing. The KI youth are very articulate about understanding that the issue they all face is how to protect their land. It was also moving to hear the KI6 talk to the youth during a brief visit. The Chief and others encouraged the youth to learn about the issues, especially their Aboriginal and treaty rights, and protection of the land, especially the water. Here is Darryl Sainnawap's speech:

My name is Darryl Sainnawap. My spirit name is Wichiitaso Muskwa. I am twenty-three years of age. I am a member and Youth Councillor for the elected Chief and Council of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inniniwug.

I personally, and on behalf of the others incarcerated, would like to send our utmost appreciation and gratitude to those who are present here today. Your support and encouragement in our struggle gives us the strength and motivation to keep moving forward in our cause. To all supporters, Kitche-Meegwetch.

As you are aware, I, along with five other members of KI—Chief Donny Morris, Deputy Chief Jack McKay, Head Councillor Cecilia Begg, Councillor Samuel McKay and Community Member Bruce Sakakeep—were sentenced to six months of incarceration for not abiding by Justice Smith’s October 25^th, 2007 Court Order for Platinex’s unobstructed access to our traditional lands.

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inniniwug have said No!

No! to the detrimental impacts of mining.

No! to the violation of our traditional laws and values.

No! to the infringement of our inherent and Aboriginal treaty rights.

No! to the Free Entry System embodied under Ontario’s 135-year-old Mining Act.

No activity will be conducted within KI homelands until such time as Ontario fulfills its constitutional duty to properly and adequately consult and accommodate KI as per Supreme Court of Canada rulings. In our present case, Ontario failed its duty.

It is the will of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inniniwug that our pristine lands be preserved for the benefit of future generations. It is the vision of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inniniwug that future generations will decide if and when our natural resources will be extracted. This is based on the premise that the present KI leadership does not have the mandate to borrow from future generations.

Today is the 64^th day of our incarceration and today we still stand by the will and vision of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inniniwug.

Being in jail for upholding our law in the protection and preservation of our lands and resources gives you, the Youth, and our peoples, more strength and determination to further uphold what is true and right.

KI homelands are not for sale and will not be subjugated to environmental degradation.

Thank you for your ongoing support and may the Creator bless you all. Meegwetch.

Darryl Sainnawap

Prisoner #1000730670