Gogama train derailment highlights treaty infringement, Chief says – Idle No More

First Nations ‘tired of being pawns in Canada’s addiction to oil,’ regional chief Stan Beardy says

The third train derailment in less than a month in northern Ontario represents a clear violation of indigenous rights, says Stan Beardy, the Ontario regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations.

An investigation is underway at the site of the most recent derailment on Saturday near Gogama, Ont. but it’s still not clear how much oil was spilled when two rail cars landed in the Mattagami River system.

Nearby Mattagami First Nation is hiring its own environmental specialist to look into the impact of the derailment on air and water quality.

“When we talk about the transporting of dangerous goods, like crude oil, through First Nations territories there has to be safeguards to make sure that the way of life of First Nations people is protected and intact as much as possible,” Beardy said.

“We are tired of being pawns in Canada’s addiction to oil,” he said.

Read the Full Story by CBC here.