Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Grassy Narrows Blockade back in Action

Grassy Narrows First Nation says its long-running blockade in the woods is seeing action.

Women from the Kenora-area community blocked Ministry of Natural Resources enforcement officers yesterday who were attempting to stop road repair work by the First Nation.

Judy Da Silva says the community is repairing a bridge used as an alternate route out of the community during forest fires, flooding and other emergencies.

Da Silva says the Ministry has threatened 10-thousand dollar fines if the work is not halted, but she says work continued behind the blockade.

The blockade began in 2002 when women and youth from the community blocked logging machinery from entering what they say is traditional territory.