Mohawk communities oppose nuclear decision

02/09/2011

The Mohawk Councils of Kahnawà:ke, Akwesasne and Tyendinaga have issued the following statement:

The people of Akwesasne, Kahnawà:ke and Tyendinaga are steadfast in our opposition to the planned passage of nuclear waste from the Bruce Power facility through the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced on February 4th that it has approved the transportation of sixteen containers containing used nuclear fuel sometime during the 2011 shipping season.

“We wish to make it clear that we are absolutely, 100% against this plan,” said Tyendinaga Grand Chief Don Maracle. “We have an obligation to protect Mother Earth and her inhabitants. We would be derelict in our duties if we turned a blind eye to this dangerous plan.”

“The St. Lawrence River provides drinking water to some 40 million people,” said Kahnawà:ke Grand Chief Michael Ahrihron Delisle, Jr. “But for us, it’s much more than that. If there is an accident, there is no place for us to go. This is our home. We cannot and will not tolerate the passage of nuclear waste through our Territory. There is no excuse for this to take place.”

“It is disturbing that the CNSC has placed the interest of Bruce Power before the concerns shared by our Mohawk brothers and sisters,” said Akwesasne Grand Chief Mike Mitchell. “We were never consulted, even though the shipment is planned to pass through our territorial waters. As a result, we condemn the Commission for disregarding our concerns and our desire to protect our great waterway for future generations.. ”

The three communities have pledged to work together to ensure the safety of Canadian, American and Indigenous people in this matter.