MISTISSINI (EEYOU ISTCHEE), QC, Aug. 6, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The many years of efforts by the Cree Nation of Mistissini against uranium mining development on their territory will be recognized in Washington this October by The Nuclear-Free Future Award Foundation (NFFAF). More specifically, four youth; Shawn Iserhoff, Justice Debassige, Desmond Michel and Kayleigh Spencer will be honoured for their initiatives against uranium in 2012 where they took part in a march of over 250,000 people on Earth Day in Montreal. In addition, our youth hosted a "Together Against Uranium Rally" prior to the CNSC Public Hearings back in 2012.
"Our youth represent the future of our Cree communities and we will always stand-up to any enterprise disregarding our rights and wanting to exploit and destroy our territory. We are very honoured and humbled to see our efforts recognized. This is a great accomplishment for the community and the youth and we would like to thank the awards committee for their acknowledgement," said Shawn Iserhoff, council member and recipient of the award.
Following the movement in August 2012, the Grand Council of the Crees at their Annual General Assembly adopted a resolution announcing a permanent moratorium on uranium exploitation in Eeyou Istchee. At this time, the Matoush Uranium project by Strateco Resources is the biggest project in Québec, and is located right on the traditional trap lines, just 215 km north of Mistissini. The Cree Nation of Mistissini, supported by the Grand Council of the Cree and other Cree communities were heartily opposed to this project which was in the end rejected by the Québec government in 2013.
"We are very proud of our youth who took initiative and took an active part in our battle against uranium. Ever since Strateco began exploring our territory with plans to exploit a uranium mine, we have doubled our efforts in mobilizing our community in order to protect the Eeyou Istchee territory from any uranium mining activities. By their actions, these youth demonstrated the importance they attach to preserving our territory and Cree values," said Richard Shecapio, Chief of the Cree Nation of Mistissini.
Since 1998, the Nuclear-Free Future Award Foundation has honoured the on-going work of individuals and initiatives against the development of uranium. At this event, which will take place under the honorable presidency of Massachusetts Senator Edward Marklet, the four Mistissini youth will stand side-by-side with other recipients from Australia, Switzerland, Marshall Islands and the United-States.
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SOURCE Cree Nation of Mistissini
about this release, please direct your inquiries to: Bella P. Loon, Communications Officer, (O) 418 923 3461 ext. 278, (C) 418 770 4391, [email protected]; For more information about the awards, see http://www.nuclear-free-future.com/en/
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