For the past 5 years, RAN has worked in solidarity with an indigenous community in northern Ontario called Grassy Narrows. The campaign has focused on ending clearcutting on Grassy’s traditional territory [targeting logging wrong-doers such as Boise Cascade, Weyerhauser and Abitibi].
It included one of the longest running blockades [5 years] in Canadian history for indigenous rights.
Today, AbitibiBowater announced they would no longer be cutting Grassy’s forests.
Grassy Narrows won. You’ll no longer hear the sound of corporate chainsaws cutting down her trees.
Such victories are sweet [and as I write, champagne bottles are popping at RAN]. They also serve as a lesson. It’s a great example of how environmentalists from privileged backgrounds can work in solidarity with, and follow the leadership of, frontline communities most impacted by corporate and government policy. An important lesson to remember in the coming climate justice/global warming struggles.
Cheers to Grassy Narrows, RAN’s Old Growth team and all their allies.
“RAN Welcomes End of Clear-Cut Logging on Grassy Narrows Traditional Territory
SAN FRANCISCO – Rainforest Action Network (RAN) praised the decision of logging company AbitibiBowater—the largest paper company in the world—to stop logging on the traditional territory of Grassy Narrows First Nation. The move follows decades of lawsuits and peaceful protest by the First Nation.
Long-time activist and RAN campaigner David Sone issued the following statement:
“We are thrilled for the Grassy Narrows community that their forests—which are key to their livelihood and culture—will no longer be clear-cut against their wishes. The U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples clearly establishes that resource extraction on Indigenous lands must have the free, prior and informed consent of the community.
“Grassy Narrows has scored a major step forward for Indigenous rights. We’re calling on all companies to follow suit and respect the rights of Indigenous peoples to give or withhold consent to industrial projects on their traditional territories.”
Since 2003, RAN has worked collaboratively with the community, pressuring Boise Inc. and Weyerhaeuser Corp. to drop their logging contracts with AbitibiBowater for wood logged in the million-acre Whiskey Jack Forest, which makes up Grassy Narrows traditional territory. A broad coalition of human rights, environmental and faith-based groups has rallied behind the community’s cause.”
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Victory!! Keep it up!!
Other press release:
Rainforest Action Network Welcomes Logging Giant’s Decision to End Clear-Cut Logging on Grassy Narrows Traditional Territory
Withdrawal decision by AbitibiBowater to force Weyerhaueser Corp.
out of Indigenous conflict zone
SAN FRANCISCO – Rainforest Action Network (RAN) praised the decision of logging company AbitibiBowater—the largest paper company in the world—to stop logging on the traditional territory of the Grassy Narrows First Nation. The logging company is the last to cease operations in the million-acre Whiskey Jack Forest that comprises Grassy Narrows traditional territory. Its decision comes in the wake of decades of lawsuits and peaceful protests by the people of Grassy Narrows, including the longest standing logging blockade in North America.
Since 2003, RAN has worked with the Grassy Narrows community to pressure U.S. companies Weyerhaeuser Corp. and Boise Inc. to drop their logging contracts with AbitibiBowater for wood obtained from Grassy Narrows land. In February, following a RAN day of action, Boise agreed to suspend its contract unless community consent could be established. AbitibiBowater’s withdrawal will also force primary customer Weyerhaeuser to stop sourcing wood from the area.
“We are thrilled for the Grassy Narrows community that their forests—which are key to their livelihood and culture—will no longer be clear-cut against their wishes,” said David Sone of RAN’s Old Growth Campaign. “Grassy Narrows has scored a major step forward for Indigenous rights. We’re calling on all companies to follow suit and respect the rights of Indigenous peoples to give or withhold consent for industrial projects on their traditional territories.”
The Canadian constitution and international law affirm First Nations’ rights to provide or withhold consent for industrial projects on their lands. However, Ontario’s mining and logging laws continue to permit resource extraction companies to operate without the consent of First Nations. On May 29, Indigenous groups in Toronto marched and camped on the front lawn of the Ontario legislature with a broad coalition of labor, student and faith-based groups to protest the outdated law.
AbitibiBowater CEO David Paterson wrote in a letter to Ontario’s Natural Resources Minister that “The flexibility of a newly merged company, paired with the current context of an industry that gives access to unused fibre, allow us to temporarily find alternative wood supply for our operations.”
RAN is calling on Abitibi to extend this precedent across its global operations, to respect human rights, and to value the role of intact forests in providing climate stability and clean water.
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This is excellent news, and we need more of it. We can not have the mega-corporations making all of the decisions or continuing to influence the politicians. Traditional lands need to be protected for continued use - corporations don’t understand that as they only think of the now and profits. Great job!
It’s really great to see the good work of many people result in this victory. I remember a few year’s ago when Grassy declared “a fierce struggle” to save their traditional lands from the logging companies and earth destroyers. Abitibi and Weyco got just that. Hopefully, the youth climate movement will take examples such as this and stand in solidarity with affected peoples in the streets and communities.