KI says no to DeBeers exploration

The Kitchenuhmaykoosib-Inninuwug First Nation has again rejected an overture from a major mining company looking to conduct mineral exploration within its traditional territories.

The latest approach comes from DeBeers, which hoped to look for diamond deposits in the Big Trout Lake area. A response from KI First Nations came in the form of a letter from the band and stated that it could not "consent to any mining exploration" at this time.
"I cannot overemphasize the real clear danger that my people see when confronted with the threat of mining activity on our territory," Morris told Wawatay news Thursday. "KI stopped Platinext exploration in our territory because it would have destroyed the watershed that our people depend on."

Morris said the main reason for opposition this time around was that KI needs to finish certain procedures –  land-use planning and traditional ecological studies – to determine who, where and what sort of development can occur on traditional KI territory.

"We can’t afford to take any short trips at the moment to accommodate a company," Morris told Dougall Media Friday afternoon. "We don’t want to short change ourselves."
Morris and five other band members were sent to jail in 2007 as part of a successful protest of mining exploration in their territory being conducted by Platinex Minerals.

DeBeers has been patient while KI goes through its land-use planning, even during the Platinex Minerals confrontation Morris said. He’s confident they’ll wait until KI is done determining what is to be done on the land.

"I’m just hoping they will still receive us the same way," Morris said.

DeBeers already has a major mine in production near Attiwapiskat.