NWMO Event In White River Protested by Locals and Members of Pic Mobert First Nation
The July protest was not the first by members of Pic Mobert First Nation, and residents of White River, in regards to the potential deep geological repository for nuclear waste. Submitted photo.
WHITE RIVER, ON – Members of Pic Mobert First Nation, joined by residents of White River, gathered for a peaceful protest in White River July 14th. The protesters rallied on the front lawn of a local residence, across from the information centre where the Nuclear Waste Management Organization was hosting their transportation exhibit and open house.
In the White River Community Liaison Committee (WRCLC) minutes of April 14, 2015 the group had noted receiving correspondence from both Pic Mobert First Nations and Pic River First Nations expressing opposition regarding the potential for White River to become the host for a deep geological repository storing nuclear waste.
Pic Mobert First Nation Councillor Louis Kiwissiwa, who participated in the protest July 14th shared his frustration with the situation in a statement shared on Facebook.
“Municipalities have no jurisdiction over First Nations traditional territories.” explained Kwissiwa in this excerpt from his statement “I notified NWMO about municipal boundaries and First Nation jurisdiction over potential waste disposal sites, which is on our traditional homelands, therefore, this issue of nuclear waste depository sites is our jurisdiction, and NOT the municipality’s. I reminded them that the Crown has the ‘duty to consult’ with First Nations regarding our traditional territories and jurisdictions (land, water, air and rights). I clearly pointed out that the people of Netamaskomik are strictly against the depository of any hazardous materials on our homelands. The Crown is obligated to educate municipal governance of its jurisdiction. The federal government has to stop implying that municipalities have jurisdiction over our traditional territories.”
Kwissiwa believes a significant number of White River residents share the people of Netamisakomik’s opposition to a potential deep geological repository for long-term storage of nuclear waste. The opposition among White River residents was also noted in the WRCLC’s minutes of April 14, 2015 which include a statement from a committee member that “[…]a growing group in White River which have been learning also and have come to learn that they do not want nucleare waste in White River”.
Protestors were pleased with response they received from passing vehicles and pedestrians. Submitted photo.
