Dear Christopher Bentley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs;

I hope the first day back in session filled you with strong hope and will for improvement of aboriginal affairs. Your position in the Ontario Government must fill you with honour to be able to positively influence and improve impacts on First Nations. The history of the land we share is based on beautiful friendship, yet we have had a turbulent relationship. As we awake to imposed conditions, and as we work toward reconciliation, we are in an era of restoration and rebirth.

In the Southern tip of my riding, Simcoe–Grey, is an unused outdoor education centre on the Haldimand Tract. The Mohawk people desire to restore and reopen this centre for their youth, and offer educational services to school boards.

The Toronto District School Board is the registered land title owner. The Toronto District School Board put the Mohawk on notice that accessing the land would be regarded as trespassing and a criminal offence. However the school board is willing to discuss interests, concerns, and a sale for fair market value.

On the final day of session before summer, Gilles Bison of the Ontario NDP called on the Ontario Government “to enter into negotiations with the Toronto District School Board and once the land title has been reverted to the crown, that we enact what we had done in the Haldimand Proclamation many years ago and transfer that land back to the Mohawk people so they can use it for their traditional use.”

The Mohawk plan to renovate the existing buildings to properly accommodate their needs. There are plans to erect a traditional longhouse, and also a greenhouse to preserve traditional medicines and plants to go alongside traditional field farming. The education centre constructs identity for Mohawk youth as they connect with their heritage. It builds friendship and reconciliation for generations to come.

This is a magnificent opportunity for all.

Sincerely,
Ernie Hilts

-EOL-

Sent to:
Christopher Bentley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
cbentley.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

-and-

Dalton McGuinty, Premier
dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Gilles Bisson, Ontario NDP, Aboriginal Critic
GBisson@ndp.on.ca

Cameron Holmstrom, Ontario NDP, Aboriginal Committee
cameronholmstrom@hotmail.com

Andrea Horwath, Ontario NDP, Leader
ahorwath-qp@ndp.on.ca

Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education
ldombrowsky.mpp@liberal.ola.org

Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services
mmeilleur.mpp@liberal.ola.org

Monique M. Smith, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
msmith.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
jmilloy.mpp@liberal.ola.org

Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture
mchan.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

After blasting them out of the ballpark, the Polaris Institute asks you to partake in a campaign to send precomposed letters to the leaders of Canada’s leading political parties. Here is my edited version of the letter:

Subject:

Get [IN] the tar sands

Body:

Dear Stephen Harper and Michael Ignatieff, [(and cc Elizabeth, Gilles, and Jack)]

I am deeply concerned that you are both stuck in the Alberta tar sands. [Aren't we all? Is the sand actually sticky?]

The tar sands represent the wrong direction for Canada. With three to five times the greenhouse gas emissions as conventional oil [(*chokes*)], severely damaging environmental and social impacts, and negative economic consequences for other provinces, the tar sands are taking Canada in the wrong direction.

[Let's get in the tar sands. Have a leadership debate on the valuable soil itself. Let the public hear and see where each of you stand on the soil. Let's hear what you think the course of action should be. Let's hear ideas for Canada to take global leadership in ecological innovation. Do we need to make use of the tar sands resource? We can save it, for a better day, with better technology, when it will be worth far more than what we get for it now. Because cutting off the flow, or rather stopping the digging, will impact the economy, and cost to stand up to corporations and nations, does not make the tar sands the right direction. Canada has an opportunity, with the right resources, to turn a new leaf. What would it take to create a beneficial green economic shift? It starts with good governance; and for that, we need co-operation of government, and the nation. You are the elected leaders of our nation. Get together, and represent. Have a televised debate, aside from the Circus of Uncommons, and show off your colours. The world is looking for change; let's take real leadership. You, are Canada's elected leaders.]

It is not too late to invest in the new energy economy of the future and turn your back on the tar sands. [We may never need to look back . Go get your fingers in the soil, and report back on it's stickiness; please.]
Sincerely,

Ernie Hilts

Although the County passed this motion, there is still concern over the CoA, Certificate of Approval, being sold to a private company with the land. The CoA, issued by the province, permits development of a dump site on the land. Chris Carrier, Mayor of Collingwood, proposed an amendment to include the CoA in the motion “so there [are] no such values attached to any potential land sale discussion to private development.” Carrier’s amendment motion was not carried. Carrier told me it could be raised again at a later date as a seperate motion. George Lawrence, Deputy Mayor Township of Tiny, at recess following the vote said he will check with the province if the CoA can be transferable.

The sacred fire was ceremonially put out at the camp across from Site 41. Until clarification of the CoA, my “PROTECT OUR WATER,” “STOP DUMP SITE 41″ sign will remain at the front of my house.

Dump Site 41 Stopped!

Would you pollute the purest water in the world?

Take action, visit: http://www.StopDumpSite41.ca 
Form to write all Councillors: http://www.canadians.org/action/2009/10-Aug-09.html

It is the purest water at risk, not just my backyard. The water located at the proposed North Simcoe Landfill, Dump Site 41, is comparable to core samples of 5,000 to 6,000 year old artic ice. The dump site is a global concern attracting public figures, scientists, and politicians; such as Maude Barlow, who is the adviser on water to the president of the United Nations, and chairperson of the Council of Canadians; David Suzuki, one of Canada’s leading environmental scientists; and even Ralph Nader, past American presidential candidate.

Professor William Shotyk, of the University of Heidelberg in Germany, tested the water in 2006 and discovered the remarkable low level of heavy metals. In other areas water needs to be softened and filtered in attempt to remove pollutants and metals known to cause cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many other serious illnesses.

Pesticides, fertilizers, and pollutants are currently being filtered naturally through the glacial debris in the ground. The Alliston aquifer’s upper aquitard is being destroyed and will provide a direct channel for pharmaceuticals and toxic waste to the aquitard’s 13 rivers and streams, and the aquifer.

There is no need to throw this dump site into any backyard, when the other dump sites managed by the County of Simcoe could have more than 40 remaining years of their lifespan. Their lifespan could be longer when taking in consideration of the continuing advancement and innovation of recycling and composting.

The Alliston aquifer’s “backyard” from Georgian Bay to the Oak Ridges Moraine consists of many species with a better excuse than any other backyard: the purest water in the world; which makes the site the world’s backyard. As the world is running out of clean fresh water, we need to protect what we have. More and more Blue Wave People from around the world are standing up and putting out a call to stop Dump Site 41. This water needs to be celebrated, not polluted.

Dale Goldhawk fights back!

My previous videos on Site 41:

• 2007 Katy Austin, Simcoe-Grey NDP Candidate
• July 4th, 2009 walk
• July 25, 2009 Rally for a Moratorium

Follow me! twitter.com/nefa2ious

I honestly thought I’d never be on twitter. The other day in my website stats I noticed a link to my website from the Stop Dump Site 41 movement’s twitter account. I figured if they’re on it, I might as well at least check it out. Since joining I’ve come to realise how useful it actually is. I used to think of it as just being hype.

Some of my first followers on twitter include the CBC (website), CanadaCool (website), and TO_CANADA.

You can follow my tweets too. Click here to visit my twitter page.

Why is there need for an investigation? The County of Simcoe claims the dump site is ecologically safe, however the company who conducted the environmental studies will not release their information to the county. The company was purchased by a landfill company, and the Province of Ontario is demanding them to release the information. Another concern is the seams of liner used in the aquifer are only guaranteed for two years. There are several environmental concerns with the leachate.

Procedures were not properly followed by Simcoe County. On July 27th The Council of Canadian’s filed for an injunction claiming the dump is unlawful.

The people also gathered in support of civil suit victims Vicki Monague and Anne Ritchie-Nahuis. The “county” placed a court ordered injunction on the blockade of the site without authorization from County Council. Both women are being held responsible for paying county costs during the blockade.

An initial set court date on July 29th was adjourned until August 13-14th for a hearing of the two injunctions.

July 30th John Hawke was detained by police over night, and charged with mischief and intimidation. Hawke has been the firekeeper of the protest camp on private property across from the proposed dump site. On release he had to sign an undertaking which placed limits on where he can be and who he associate with. His trial will be in long months ahead.

A lot has happened since the rally, and there is much more to come. Stay informed at StopDumpSite41.ca.

The bottom line, it’s the purest water in the world. STOP DUMP SITE 41!