Nehirowisiw land defenders establish blockade to stop clearcutting on unceded Nitaskinan territory in northern Quebec
Photo by Franklin Lopez.
On April 9, Nehirowisiw (Atikamekw) land defenders set up a blockade in Opiticiwan to safeguard their ancestral lands of Nitaskinan from logging.
Ricochet has previously noted: “The Atikamekw Nation, which represents close to 6,700 people spread over three reserves — Opitciwan, Wemotaci and Manawan — occupies a vast territory of 80,000 km2, the Nitaskinan, which straddles the regions of Abitibi, Lac-Saint-Jean, Haute-Mauricie and Lanaudière.”
Yesterday (April 11), the Nehirowisiw Aski Land Keepers Association Facebook page highlighted: “The Nehirowisiw Aski Territory Guardians maintain their position regarding the land claims that have been erected for over a year on various Nehirowisiw Aski heritage and ancestral sites. They are issuing these measures in order to protect the Territory of the Unconquered Nations and are raising their voices to halt the decline in biodiversity, combat climate disruption and denounce the abuse of resources.”
The blockade at Opiticiwan follows a confrontation near Wemotaci on March 18. To watch a 6-minute video of that by Amplifier Films, click here.
For geographic reference, Wemotaci is about 410 kilometres north of Montreal and about 585 kilometres north-east of Ottawa.
This second 5-minute video (also by Amplifier Films) notes that St-Léonard, Quebec-based Arbec Forest Products Inc. is “the company that carries out a large part of the logging on Nehirowisiw territory.”
This Guardians of Territory website explains: “Nehirowisiw Aski Territory Keepers have always existed and occupy ancestral territory to protect and defend the heritage of our ancestors. The Guardians of the Territory Association brings together the Guardians of the Territory, Hereditary Chiefs and Women Matriarchs. They join forces and skills to protect ‘Mother Earth’ from all dangers that could affect the ecosystem.”
It’s Going Down has also noted: “It’s important to note that the blockades and protests are not just about stopping logging but are a part of a larger demand for respect, consultation, and co-management of the lands that are central to the Nehirowisiw way of life. Community leaders have expressed a willingness to negotiate and to be part of the decision-making processes that affect their lands, indicating a path forward that includes respect for Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship.”
For updates on this situation, please see the Territory Guardians Facebook page.
This GoFundMe page has been set up to support the land defenders protect their ancestral lands and forests.
We continue to follow this.
Video: Guardians of the Land: The Nehirowisiw Aski’s Fight Against Deforestation.
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