Rally against nuclear waste storage - Thunder Bay - (CJ Goater/Acadia Broadcasting)
Twelve First Nations and their supporters met in Thunder Bay to rally against nuclear waste storage in the region.
The First Nations are opposed to Ignace becoming the home of Canada’s first underground nuclear waste storage unit.
There is strong support in Ignace to bring the storage facility to the region.
Ignace council voted to continue showing interest in the $26-billion project during a special meeting on July 10.
The vote came after a community “willingness survey” revealed more than 77 per cent of voters want to move forward.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is expected to make a final decision by the end of the year.
Ahead of the rally on Wednesday, a letter from the First Nations was sent to the NWMO saying they do not support the project.
“It’s very important to Northwestern Ontario, I want to stress, it’s not just First Nations that are opposed to it’s also citizens from Dryden, Ignace and, even here in Thunder Bay and other townships that are opposed to this nuclear waste proposal,” said Grassy Narrows First Nation Chief Rudy Turtle. “The potential of having that in Ignace, it can cause a lot of significant problems in the future.”
Chief Turtle signed the letter to the NWMO and hopes a united front will help their voice be heard.
“We feel that the more communities like the more people you have, the more leaders you have, the stronger your voices and we’re hoping that, the Township of Ignace and also the First Nation of Wabigoon and also NWMO will listen to us and they will hear our concern and I’m hoping that they just stop the project.”
He added that his community has not had any contact with the NWMO or Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation is set to host its own willingness process and their decision is also needed before the NWMO can move forward.
The 12 First Nations that held the rally and wrote the letter are:
- Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation)
- Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake First Nation)
- Wapekeka First Nation
- Neskantaga First Nation
- Muskrat Dam First Nation
- Ojibways of Onigaming
- Gull Bay First Nation
- Wauzhushk Onigum Nation
- Fort William First Nation
- Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg
- Shoal Lake 40 First Nation
- Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation
