"We don't want this to escalate"
The Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (or KI First Nation) are readying themselves to continue a battle that landed their Chief and Councilors all with a six month jail sentence in spring of 2008. The opponent: Platinex Corportation and the Ontario Mining Act, an act that was described as "archaic" in a Court of Appeal decision that reversed their sentencing after serving two months of the term. Talks were set to happen between the provincial government, the mining company and the KI leadership, but no such discussions have taken place, instead the community and the mining company are in the same position, with Platinex trying to prospect against community wishes. Yesterday, August 26th, Plantinex and the Ontario Provincial Police landed in the community, 600km north of Thunder Bay. In this interview, Native Solidarity News speaks with KI Councilor, Sam McKay, the day before Platinex arrived, about the community's position and the mounting tension between the mining company and KI.