Laka Foundation

Publication Laka-library:
Resist, Organize, Survive - Wollaston Lake: a resource kit. Articles and statements (1984)

Author
Date1984
Classification 3.02.5.10/07 (CANADA - URANIUM MINING)
Front

From the publication:

INTRODUCTION

Survival is the issue.
Not survival of the species, but of all species.
Not survival of the species, but of individuals and the relation they have with 
others of -and not of- their species - plant and animal, animate and inanimate.

The removal of uranium from the ground for use in any weaponry against life is 
in itself condemnable. But we must first condemn the historical reality that finds 
as its end the nuclear solution.

The fact that uranium "must" be taken from the ground that has been designated 
by the white imperialist powers as an "Indian Reservation" is the historical update 
in a long and ongoing process of destroying the earth, and of a systemic genocide 
of indigenous peoples the world over.

In Canada our most recent history shows no lessening of the imperialist dictum of 
wheedling, "negotiating" or just barging in and taking any land that is needed to 
further the growth of capital: Mackenzie Delta for its oil and Mackenzie Valley for 
the pipeline; James Bay for the hydro power of its rivers; Meare's Island for its 
timber; Wollaston Lake for its uranium. In all these cases the lands were "given" 
to the Natives at an earlier time - or, rather, the land was not taken as it had no 
immediate or forsee-able use.

And what of the Left in face of all this? When it hears or speaks of Imperialism it is 
in reference to the generally understood Third World phenomenon. But abject ignorance 
surrounds the understanding of its pervasiveness and the harm it does to all "at home". 
It is easy to criticize from afar, to apologize for one's inactivity; except for 
solidarity work, what can be expected from a Canadian citizen? But for what's going 
on in "our" nation state where presumably the citizen has some impact in its affairs, 
the issue has been embarrassingly absent from Left critique and action.

Need and opportunity have arisen for the Canadian peace movement and the entire 
Canadian left to step beyond sympathy and to actively support the native peoples in 
Northern Saskatchewan, as we do other colonized peoples resisting Euro-American 
imperialism.

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