This coalition consists of the Innu collective Mashk Assi, defending the unceded territory of Nitassinan; the Ekoni-Aci movement, uniting defenders of the Atikamekw territory of Manawan and Wemotaci; and the Kanien’kehà:ka Kahnistensera, better known as the Mohawk Mothers.
These Aborigines formalized their request for a moratorium by sending a letter to the Attorney General of Quebec, the Attorney General of Canada and the Department of Natural Resources and Forests.
Forests can no longer be the playground of industry. The coalition writes that the current situation represents a case of force majeure that requires a break to think and implement extraordinary solutions. We cannot risk bringing back the logging machines once the fires are under control as the sparks from the engines and equipment could create new sparks and destroy the small forest that remains. We must regenerate the forest, say the members of the three indigenous collectives.
Innu and Atikamekw activists block logging roads to resist logging on their unceded ancestral territory.
Photo: Courtesy of the Mashk Assi Collective
These First Nations activists remind that the millions of hectares burned not only affect the habitat of wildlife important to their culture, but also the health of many Aboriginal communities.
“Given the developments regarding the quality of the air, which is unbreathable in several places, we think it’s really important to put the brakes on right now,” explained Michael Paul of the Mashk Assi collective.
In addition to the moratorium, Aboriginal people, who claim to be ancestral owners of their respective territories, are demanding an investigation into the causes of the wildfires.
“The government, through its mismanagement of the forest, has created this situation of extreme danger for which it is responsible. By prioritizing profitability, the government has created monoculture coniferous forests that turn into powder kegs in dry and hot weather, threatening public health. »
– A quote from an excerpt of the letter from the Mashk Assi collective, the Ekoni Aci movement and the Mohawk Mothers
This forest management is based on logging potential, industrial development and immediate gain. The primacy of forestry in forest management is too great and has led to a situation of unprecedented danger. Action must be taken immediately to break this impasse, say Aboriginal traditionalists.
The Chibougamau Wildfire (File Photo)
Photo: Courtesy
The coalition is also calling for an independent environmental impact study to be carried out in cooperation with the United Nations Special Rapporteur and for the indigenous custodians of the territory to chair it. We are the custodians of the ancient knowledge that has allowed the boreal forest to survive to this day. We know every corner of our territory and the animal families we share it with. According to a UN report, tribal peoples are by far the best stewards of natural territory and the environment anywhere in the world, the coalition claims.
The blockade at Laurentides Game Reserve is maintained
Three weeks ago, before the wildfires broke out and the restrictions came into effect, indigenous peoples from the Mashk Assi collective forced the closure of several logging sites in the Laurentides Game Reserve. They denounce the destruction of the forests south of Lake Kénogami.
This blockade is still effective with nitassinan. In particular, a permanent camp was set up at kilometer 216 of Route 175 to monitor comings and goings in the forest.
These Innu, not benefiting from the support of the Mashteuiatsh gang council, sent eviction notices to the forestry companies based on their ancestral territory.
Since May 29, tribal activists have been patrolling Nitassinan regularly to ensure there is no logging.
“We’re willing to go to court if it’s not respected,” said dedicated artist Michael Paul.
Innus has set up a permanent camp along the logging road at km 216 of the Laurentides Game Reserve.
Photo: Courtesy of the Mashk Assi Collective
The Lignarex Group, which describes this problem as sensitive, is among the manufacturers who have complied and withdrawn their forest machines from certain locations. From the start, Lignarex leaders said they were ready to negotiate with the Innu.
The collective has also authorized the logging company to reclaim the trees already felled to avoid wasting wood.
With information from Gabrielle Morissette