Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Grassy Narrows, Ontario - Imagine this: An indigenous nation, when encroached upon by loggers (or miners or hydroelectric developers), simply calls up the Federal Government's Department of Indian Affairs, and the government expels the intruders.

This was the reality, not a dream, described by the Kayapo Indian Chief Raoni on August 27, 2001, when talking about the Kayapo nation's relationship with the government of Brazil.

Raoni, and three other Kayapo chiefs, addressed members of Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishnabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation), and a few newspaper reporters, while standing in the midst of a raw clearcut on Asubpeeschoseewagong's traditional territories in northwest Ontario, Canada.

Joe Fobister, coordinator of Asubpeeschoseewagong's Environment Committee then explained that if Abitibi-Consolidated Inc continues to cut logs at the current rate, the entire forest on his people's land will be felled in 25 years. Yet the Canadian government says this is simply a provincial forestry matter and the provincial government says that land issues raised by indigenous peoples are a federal matter. So whom should they call?

The Kayapos visited Asubpeeschooseewagong for a week, and spoke in support of the nation's efforts to keep their sacred spaces alive and their demands for government protection from outsiders exploiting their resources.

Since May 1999, Christian Peacemaker Teams has led several delegations to Asubpoesschoseewagong at the invitation of community leaders.