On June 28th, 2007 the Community Coalition Against Uranium (CCAMU),
agroup of concerned citizens from the Ottawa Valley and Kingston area, joined a peaceful protest with the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation and the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. The First Nations began protesting in October of 2007 in response to uranium exploration at the headwaters of the Mississippi water system which feeds the Ottawa River.
The First Nations claim the site is on its land and fear the uranium drilling could lead to environmental contamination. The uranium exploration company, Frontenac Ventures, has threatened to have the protesters arrested and sue the First Nations for 77 million dollars.
Despite threats from the corporation, on Oct. 8, 2007 Grandma Donna Dillman started a hunger strike to call for a moratorium on uranium mining and moved into a tent trailer near the protest site. On Oct.15 an organization called Raging Grannies joined Donna Dillman at the protest site near Sharbot Lake.
“We wanted to show our support, sing with her, have tea, and make sure she is alright”-Raging Grannies.
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=eFF3ESIH4h4[/youtube]
The Raging Grannies’ mission is to arouse awareness about such issues as Peace, Social Justice, Environmental Protection, Racism — and in so doing to bring about necessary changes in both laws and attitudes.
Shortly after the Grannies joined the protest, the First Nations agreed to a 12-week truce provided that the provincial and federal government agreed to formal mediation. After much deliberation the First Nations and the government agreed on the agenda of the mediation process, but the First Nations have recently threatened to reoccupy the site unless the province stops uranium mining in the area.
Visit the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium
Visit the Ottawa Raging Grannies