Forest Protesters Talk About Connection To Land

Forest Protesters Talk About Connection To Land

Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 14:39

 

 

It is their church– and their pharmacy.

 

That’s what the territory in the Porcupine Plain Provincial Forest means to the Kinistin First Nation, according to Chief Peter Nippi.

 

The annual camp is hosted by the Kinistin band.

 

But this year they are joined by several other Treaty Four First Nations who learned that the land is now opened to exploration for minerals and resources, such as coal and oil.

 

Dozens of families from several First Nations — including Kawacatoose — are drying meat, gathering plants and berries, holding traditional ceremonies and teaching the younger generation about living off the land.

 

Nippi says his family has gathered roots for medicine on the territory for decades.

 

Chief Larry Cachene of the Yellow Quill First Nation says the land holds much historical and spiritual value, as well.

 

Cachene says First Nations communities must step up and assert their rights to the land before they lose it.

 

Several members of the culture camp say the province is continuing to fail its own duty to consult policy.