In the dead of winter 2002, visionary Grassy Narrows youth bravely laid down in front of logging trucks and sparked what is now the longest running blockade in Canada. Countless Indigenous land defenders and supporters have visited and drawn inspiration from the blockade site over the last two decades. This past December, 20 years of reclamation, alliance, ceremony, and freedom was honoured.
The River Run began in response to prospectors having staked thousands of new claims on these First Nations’ territories. They are exploiting Ontario’s antiquated “free entry” mining system that allows companies and individuals to stake mining claims on First Nations lands from the comfort of their offices, without gaining the consent of the Indigenous people who live there.
Prospectors are not required by Ontario to give any notice to First Nations until after the claims have been registered and are in force. Conversely, Ontario does not inform prospectors which First Nation’s land they are staking until after the claims are purchased. The claims grant the prospector a wide range of rights under Crown law to explore the area for valuable minerals and to own the treasures that are found under the ground.
However, the areas that these prospectors are staking have been home to Indigenous people for countless generations and continue to provide the sources of life, culture, and livelihood for them. In spite of the well-known concerns of these First Nations, and many attempts to bring the government to the table, the free entry system remains in place and new claims continue to be registered in social conflict zones against the will of First Nations.
On September 18th Breakaway Staff joined in on the Grassy Narrows River Run held in Toronto. Thousands of people attended the river run, and gathering held at Queen’s park following. We will work along side Grassy Narrows and other Land Back causes to ensure Indigenous communities gain the sovereignty and power over their land as they deserve.