Mohawk Nation communities condemn CNSC for approving radioactive waste shipment through their territories

The Mohawk Nation communities of Akwesasne, Kahnawake, and Tyendinaga have issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Canadian Nuclear Safety (sic) Commission's approval of Bruce Power's application to ship 16 radioactive steam generators through their territories via the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River to Sweden for so-called "recycling."

"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 Kahnawa: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 Kanentakeron 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."

Anishinabek Grand Council Chief says CNSC ignored rule of law by approving radioactive shipment through Great Lakes

Logo of the Anishinabek Nation. See http://www.anishinabek.ca/.As reported at the Canadian Newswire, Anishinabek Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee, speaking on behalf of 39 First Nations in the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI), said in response to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's Feb. 4th approval of the shipment of 16 radioactive steam generators from Bruce Nuclear Power Plant upon the waters of the Great Lakes: "The [Canadian] Supreme Court has stipulated the requirement for consultation and accommodation with First Nations...First Nations have to be accommodated on activities that could have an impact on our traditional territories. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples says handling of hazardous materials in our territories requires our free, prior, and informed consent...When it comes to transporting nuclear wastes through such an important resource as the Great Lakes, there is no such thing as too much consultation. Look at what happened with the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. It's irresponsible to take chances with the transport of hazardous goods, and I'm sure all Canadians would like to think that their federal government is concerned about their safety...The Great Lakes were never negotiated by treaty and we have inherent and treaty rights to all our waterways. Neither the Nuclear Safety Commission nor Bruce Power can guarantee that a disaster will not happen with this shipment. The spillage of any hazardous waste would infringe on our constitutionally-protected rights to fish, hunt, and gather lake-based traditional foods and medicines." The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its political advocate and secretariat in 1949.  The UOI's 39 member communities across Ontario represent approximately 55,000 people. UOI is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires that have existed long before European contact.

Indian activists opposing Jaitapur reactors forced to flee

Several activisists protesting the planned Jaitapur reactors near Mumbai, India, that will displace five villages, are on the run after bail was denied and local police slapped several charges of violent protest and attempt to murder against them. Local activists have approached the supreme court on their behalf but the activists, including a priest, fishermen and mango farmers and a tailor, remain on the run.

"Left in the dust: AREVA's radioactive legacy in the desert towns of Niger"

This May 2010 Greenpeace International report focuses on uranium mining impacts in Niger. In one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking last in the Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where more than 40% of children are underweight for their age, water and access to improved water sources is scarce and almost three quarters of the population are illiterate, the French nuclear giant AREVA extracts precious—and deadly—natural resources, earning billions for its Fortune 500 corporation, and leaving little behind but centuries of environmental pollution and health risks for the citizens of Niger. Beyond Nuclear colleague Bruno Chareyron -- of the independent French radiological testing laboratory CRIIRAD -- contributed to this report. So did Rianne Tuele, Energy Campaigner with Greenpeace Africa/International, currently based in Johannesburg, who spoke at an anti-uranium mining summit in Richmond, Virginia in early 2010.

Photos from the Nuclear-Free Future Awards, New York, September 30

© orla connolly. Top to bottom: singer Pete Seeger; presenter Amy Goodman with NFFA founder Claus Biegert; presenter and singer Patti Smith; winners Hilma Mote, Henry Red Cloud. (Other winners: Oleg Bodrov, Bruno Barrillot).