15
WEDNESDAY, January 16, 2013
TEKAWENNAKE
Appeal against Samsung wind park dismissed By Stephanie Dearing SIX NATIONS/ HALDIMAND
An appeal against the proposed Samsung wind park, part of the Grand Renewable Energy Park, launched by a Six Nations man in 2012 was dismissed by the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal the day before Christmas. “I knew this was the outcome but you know I was hoping for some kind of recommendations,” said Bill Monture. Monture, along with Six Nations supporters Bud Johnson and Lester Green, spent weeks at Tribunal hearings for the wind park in the later part of 2012. The wind farm was also opposed by Haldimand Wind Concerns, a group of local residents. Earlier in 2012, the Six Nations men had opposed the Summerhaven wind farm, which is now entering it's final phase of construction. That wind farm is also being built in Haldimand County. “We knew they were going to approve the [Samsung] project because we're dealing with a lot of money,” said Monture. “The government can't risk taking on a law suit from Samsung.” However, the efforts by Monture and his supporters were not entirely in vain. The Tribunal outlined nine recommendations to be implemented before and after the construction of the wind farm. “The decision that was made was lot more than the [Six Nations Elected] band council tried to fight for,” said Lester Green. He said their arguments were “coming from that traditional aspect where we are one with the environment and we're looking at all things as being sacred. Some people will take that to the extreme and not really validate it, but at the end of the day everything is spiritual. Everything has a spirit attached to it and we want to make sure that everything is protected within that realm and that there's going to be plenty for our future generations.” “We explained about our medicines,” said Monture. “To them it's just common, they're just a common plant, so it doesn't matter if it's destroyed or not, it's just common it'll grow somewhere else. That's not the point.” Monture continued say-
ing, “That's what we tried to stress, we put our point across a lot of these medicines are very sacred to us. A lot of our medicines only grow in certain areas. But to them trees and plants are weeds. We call them medicine.” “It literally was a David versus Goliath battle,” said Green. “Some people [were] not doing it for the money, not interested in it for the money at all, but to stand up to a giant like Samsung and say you need to start taking a better look at what it is you're doing here and you need to start consulting with out people, I think that was a big eyeopener for them.” “And the information that we brought forth, had we not brought any of that information at all, then I don't think any changes would have done. It would have been just like Summerhaven,” said Green. “And we learned a lot from Summerhaven.” The recent removal of a Bald Eagle nest near Fisherville, to make room for a Summerhaven wind turbine and access road serves to highlight a number of the points the Six Nations men had laid out for the Tribunal. The nest removal had the full blessing of the Ontario Min-
istry of Natural Resources. Monture said the men are now considering their next steps, which may include going to court to appeal the Tribunal's decision on the Samsung wind park. They will definitely be watching to see if the Tribunal's recommendations are implemented. While pleased to have won the recommendations for the Samsung wind farm, “To us it's still not good enough,” said Monture. The Tribunal's recommendations stipulate Samsung must conduct natural heritage pre-construction and post-construction monitoring, which is to aboriginal traditional knowledge. The comprehensive recommendation sets out baseline studies for birds and bats should be expanded and stipulate who should be involved in the monitoring. The full text of the decision is available online through the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal. Six Nations Elected Council signed an agreement with Samsung late last year that could see the community receive over $50 million from the renewable energy park over the next 20 years. The Six Nations Confed-
Dr. LoreLei F. ZeiLer o.D.
OptOmetrist
Quality Eyewear Available 245 Argyle St. S. Caledonia, On N3W 1K7 tel: (905) 765-0355 New Patients Welcomed Adults exams now covered by Indian Affairs
Bill Monture (foreground), was photographed outside an Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal in May 2012, where he was arguing against the Summerhaven wind farm. Just before Christmas, he learned he had lost his appeal against the Samsung wind park. (Photograph by Stephanie Dearing). eracy Council, through the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI), has accepted a development fee payment of $7,000 from Samsung and opened negotiations to work out a deal anticipated to be similar to that made between Elected Coun-
cil and Samsung. Samsung wants to start construction of its 67 turbines this year, as well as the sister solar project, which is also part of the Grand Renewable Energy Park. Haldimand County is a prime location for wind
farm projects, and there are four approved projects with a total of 189 wind turbines planned for the area. While the area is favourable for wind projects, it has also been long known as an area favoured by migrating birds.
CASUAL/SUPPLY (ON-CALL) CHILD CARE SERVICES Six Nations Child Care Services are accepting applications for casual/supply (on-call) workers: Early Childhood Educator, Kitchen Helper, and Housekeeper. Hours of work are variable up to 37.5 per week. Applicants must have a minimum of grade 12 education and the ability to pass a police records check. Interested Applicants are requested to submit: Cover letter Resume Documentation of educational qualifications
Join the Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation’s amazing Board of Directors! Currently accepting applications. Deadline for applications is Feb 15, 2013 Please visit www.bchsysfoundation.org for more details or call: Sherri Bocchini, President & CEO sherri.bocchini@bchsys.org or 519-751-5510
A copy of the job description(s) may be picked up at the Child Care Programs at 21 Bicentennial Trail or at 18 Stoneridge Circle. Mark on envelope: “CASUAL/SUPPLY (ON-CALL)” “CHILD CARE SERVICES” Applications may be dropped off at: 21 Bicentennial Trail Or 18 Stoneridge Circle Deadline:
January 25, 2013