Latest News
Supreme Court to hear Grassy Narrows’ challenge over logging
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- Created on Thursday, 19 September 2013 21:13
Published in The Globe and Mail
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear a challenge to the Ontario government’s right to permit industrial logging on the traditional lands of the Grassy Narrows First Nation.
The First Nation appealed after Ontario’s highest court ruled in March that the province has the right to “take up” treaty land for forestry and mining.
The northwestern Ontario First Nation has spent nearly 15 years in court fighting the province’s decision to issue a licence for clear-cut operations in parts of the Keewatin portion of Treaty 3 territory.
More than one million Ontarians call for an end to unwanted logging in Grassy Narrows
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- Created on Thursday, 22 August 2013 00:29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Premier Wynne does not respond to request for dialogue with civil society groups
Toronto - Organizations representing more than one million people across Ontario are calling on Premier Kathleen Wynne to a make a clear and unequivocal commitment that the province will respect the wishes of the people of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) that no new logging permits be issued in their traditional territory.
The province is currently engaged in five year long talks with Grassy Narrows over the management of their traditional lands in the Whiskey Jack forest, north of Kenora. Last year, while the talks were in progress, the Ministry of Natural Resources unilaterally adopted a ten year forest management direction for Grassy Narrows Territory that included no meaningful recognition of Aboriginal and Treaty rights and perpetuated the model of industrial clear-cutting that first sparked an ongoing blockade at Grassy Narrows a decade ago.
Ontario should stop logging of old-growth forest: Editorial, The Star
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- Created on Monday, 12 August 2013 18:59
Photo: Hap Wilson
Temagami’s soaring forests are home to more than half the world’s old-growth red and white pine trees. It’s an impressive distinction, except that only a tiny fraction of the original growth still exists, leaving the trees — and the biodiversity they support — on the edge of extinction.
That precarious existence, exacerbated by the harsh winds or fires of extreme weather patterns, is further harmed when the Ontario government allows logging companies to remove the old growth, pines that have populated these forests for some 140 to 400 years.
Changing of the Seasons Gathering in Temagami
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- Created on Friday, 09 August 2013 22:44
Over the weekend of September 14th, 2013 Alex Mathias, an Ojibway Elder, will host his annual Changing of the Seasons Ceremony to celebrate the fall equinox on his traditional family territory in the Temagami region of Ontario.
On Saturday there will be a 'Changing of the Seasons' ceremony, a group potluck lunch, visits to Spirit Rock, and guided hikes through the old-growth forest. The guest speaker will be Joe Katt, Second Chief of the Temagami First Nation. Attendees have the option of participating in group events after the ceremony, exploring the area on their own, or simply enjoying some quiet time on the lake. There is no structured agenda for the weekend and Sunday is an open day.
Coalition to host "pARTners for Wolf Lake Art Camp"
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- Created on Wednesday, 31 July 2013 02:03
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Ongoing campaign to protect world's largest old-growth red pine forest
NORTH BAY - The Wolf Lake Coalition will host a 4-day camp for invited artists, August 14-17, at Wolf Lake. Fourteen painters, photographers and poets will create works of art to be auctioned off in support of the Coalition's campaign to see the world's largest old-growth red pine forest protected.
"As an painter, I've always been drawn to the beauty of places like Wolf Lake," said Liz Lott, one of the participating artists. "The fact that this incredible ecosystem is still threatened makes our work that much more important."
Study: Wolf Lake Ancient Forest is Endangered Ecosystem
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- Created on Wednesday, 26 June 2013 11:09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New research from the University of Guelph, published Tuesday in the journal Biodiversity and Conservation, says that allowing industrial extraction in a northern Ontario old-growth red pine forest – the largest remaining in the world – would significantly threaten biodiversity in Canada.
The study says that Wolf Lake Forest Reserve is a “scientifically irreplaceable system.”
Scientists find 210 species at Wolf Lake
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- Created on Wednesday, 12 June 2013 13:21
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recommend moratorium on further industrial disturbance
Sudbury - A team of scientists released a new report today on the findings of an intensive species count conducted last year at Wolf Lake. 210 species were identified including two bird species "At Risk" (special concern) the Canada Warbler and Common Nighthawk. The report finds that the Wolf Lake old-growth forest is a unique and rich natural laboratory with the potential to provide the answers to many scientific questions relating to the ecology and conservation of endangered forested landscapes. It warns that planned industrial activity puts this value at risk.
Ontario Government Abandons Endangered Species
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- Created on Friday, 31 May 2013 15:34
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - David Suzuki Foundation, Earthroots, Ontario Nature, Sierra Club of Canada
Environmentalists decry Cabinet decision to gut law protecting imperilled wildlife
Toronto, May 31, 2013 – The provincial Cabinet announced today its approval of sweeping exemptions for industry under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). Environmental organizations are incensed at the government’s abdication of its responsibility to protect and recover Ontario’s endangered plants and animals.
“This is the first major test of the new Cabinet’s commitment to the environment, and they have failed,” says Dr. Anne Bell, director of conservation and education at Ontario Nature. “They have turned their backs on the province’s most imperilled wildlife, and at a time when the federal government is poised to do the same.”
NEW Save Wolf Lake Video
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- Created on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 04:01
For more info about the campaign to protect the world's largest ancient red pine forest, visit savewolflake.org
Canoe Camp Facebook invites Wynne to paddle Wolf Lake using stunning time lapse video
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- Created on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 04:00
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Threatened ancient red pine forest is among Sudbury’s top eco-tourism destinations
Sudbury – Today Camp Keewaydin on Lake Temagami launched a breathtaking time-lapse video on Facebook, inviting Premier Wynne to join them on a canoe trip to Sudbury's famed Wolf Lake, home to the world’s largest ancient red pine forest.
Advocates are hoping that the new Premier will breathe life into the deadlocked conversation over providing full protection for one of Sudbury’s top eco-tourism destinations. The Government of Ontario promised to protect Wolf Lake in 1999, but last year mining leases surrounding Wolf Lake owned by Calgary based Flag Resources were renewed for 21 years.
Sweeping exemptions would leave endangered species sliding toward extinction
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- Created on Thursday, 04 April 2013 11:11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Earthroots, Ontario Nature, Sierra Club
Some 65 species have been waiting and waiting for habitat protection – on average for 19 years
Toronto - Sixty-five species slated to receive mandatory habitat protection this summer under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) may be out of luck if the government proceeds with sweeping exemptions to the act. A new analysis reveals that these species have already been waiting an average of 19 years to have their habitat protected. Now that wait-time is about to be extended – in some cases, forever.
“Almost every one of these 65 plants and animals is threatened by habitat loss. The vast majority (83%) have been listed as threatened or endangered for more than 10 years. Almost half have been listed for more than 20 years,” says Dr. Anne Bell, director of conservation and education at Ontario Nature. “Yet the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is proposing to waive ESA protection requirements for a broad suite of activities that would damage or destroy the places where these species survive.”
Grassy Narrows comments on appeals court ruling against Treaty rights
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- Created on Monday, 18 March 2013 19:17
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"I am very disappointed that the appeal court has ruled against protecting our Treaty rights from destructive clearcut logging," said Joseph Fobister, a Grassy Narrows trapper who initiated the legal action. "What meaning can our right to hunt and fish have when the courts allow Ontario to clearcut our forests and poison our fish with mercury?"
“Our community has suffered for too long from the impacts of industry imposed on our people,” said Joseph Fobister*, one of the Grassy Narrows trappers who initiated the legal action. “We cannot allow industry to further damage our way of life and our health by poisoning our water and destroying the forests that we depend on.”
“It is time for Ontario to finally stop wasting time and money trying to force damaging clearcut logging on our community, and to begin the process of reconciliation by respecting our Treaty and aboriginal rights as we defend our forest-based way of life,” said Grassy Narrows Chief Fobister.
Contact: Joseph Fobister 807-407-2745
For background information click here.
Toronto training organization, co-founder, Jessica Bell, awarded Toronto Community Foundation Vital People grant
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- Created on Thursday, 31 January 2013 17:14
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(Toronto) - Tools for Change’s co-founder and coordinator, Jessica Bell, was awarded a Vital People grant from the Toronto Community Foundation. The Vital People grant program recognizes valued leaders who are making outstanding contributions working at not-for-profit organizations. Grants are awarded in support of continued training and professional development of the selected leaders.
A project of Earthroots, OPIRG Toronto, and Greenpeace, Tools for Change provides skills-building training to Toronto’s volunteer, activist, and non-profit sector. The program hosts 20 workshops a year. Jessica Bell co-founded Tools for Change in 2010.
Jessica Bell will use the Toronto Community Foundation grant to complete courses in conflict resolution and mediation at York University.
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