Eastern Door Volume 6 Number 39

Volume 6 Number 39

October 31, 1997

MCK Puts ADM On Hold
By: Waneek Horn

A Mohawk Council of Kahnawake press release dated Wednesday October 29, announced that "no further progress will be done on the Archer Daniels Midland project until there is satisfactory evidence of support from the community and certain technical aspects have been addressed."

The manner in which the evidence will be gathered is not outlined, nor is a criterion for what is considered satisfactory. The technical aspects are also not specified.

The MCK expresses concern for economic development and Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton states that the ADM project would be a step away from dependence on the government, toward "feeding ourselves."

The press release discusses the potential loss of 80 jobs and $12 million in construction work, 6 to 12 permanent jobs as well as over $2.5 million in guaranteed revenue over the next ten years. Also affected are potential spin off jobs and businesses that would be lost if the project is stopped permanently.

Many community members opposed to the project have stated their concern is not a question of support for economic development, but rather this type of economic development.

The MCK feels the termination of the ADM project could be fatal to Kahnawake, which is starving for economic development, while also setting a negative example for future economic initiatives in the community.

The MCK has repeatedly stated that while whose opposed to the project have expressed their concern, there remains considerable silent support for the project. To comfort environmental concerns, the MCK has invited a group of individuals to visit a new facility in Brandon, Manitoba.

The MCK states that an environmental impact assessment has already been done, which has been accepted in principal by the Kahnawake Environment Office.

The assessment shows no risks or health hazards, other than those that exist from the construction of the seaway. The issue of another assessment done by an independent company whom is not paid by ADM, was not addressed.

The Mohawk Council answers concerns about a non-Native company operating on Native land, by stating that ADM would be subject to Kahnawake Laws and regulations, including a monitoring board. There is no mention about how and who would enforce these laws and regulations.

Though the project has been temporarily stopped, the MCK is adamant it has not been abandoned. It will be on hold until the council can "identify whether or not there is support for economic development in Kahnawake.

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Camping out until they get out
By: Waneek Horn

The protest at the Kahnawake ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) site that began last Thursday is still going strong, with about 40 community members involved, although there was only one protested, Kevin Myiow, at the site at the time of this interview.

Myiow vows to stay until the ADM project is stopped altogether, and spends much of his day at the site, meters away from the ADM trailers. He shares the view of many community members that the proposed project may be more detrimental than positive.

When asked whether the protesters are against any kind of development of the sight, Myiow had two points of view. On one hand, he felt the constant need to develop the area is not needed. "I think this entire area along the seaway should be made into greenspace," he said.

On the other hand, he feels that if a project is proposed which is not harmful to health and the environment and is approved by the entire community, then that would be acceptable. "You have to think past tomorrow and into the future, how the project could affect the community 100 years down the road." Myiow said.

When asked if he felt if the band council's concern for economic development is valid, Myiow said that due to money lost to self government, the council is trying to find other ways to make up for the loss. "They know that they cannot tax the community, the community could kill them," stated Myiow.

Myiow says there are plenty of jobs out there. As an iron worker, he had travelled as far as 3,000 miles to find work. He expressed his concern for the community and the path that it is on, "People in the community are getting lazy and they want to stay home and sit on their ass instead of going out to find work, like the old days when the men used to leave to work".

The protesters feel this is their contribution to stop the project and all involved feel that action is needed now.

Sonny Joe Cross and his associates delivered a portable toilet to the site, for which the group is thankful.

Nothing has been decided regarding the ADM grain storage facility according to councilor John Montour, and the Kahnawake Survival School has proposed another meeting with the Mohawk council for next Friday, but a definite time and place has not been decided yet.

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Editorial

ADM - The Continuing Saga
By: Kenneth Deer, The Eastern Door

Yesterday's press release by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake announced that they are placing the ADM project on hold until satisfactory evidence of support from the community has been addressed.

The question is, how will that support be ascertained and how will it be weighed against the opposition? It has been asked before, what is the process for determining the will of the people?

The MCK is bemoaning the loss of jobs if the project does not proceed. But these jobs are very short term. The major portion of the $12 million cost of construction is AMD-supplied equipment. The remainder is for job-built infrastructure.

The number of permanent jobs to be realized is only 6 to 12 as they say, a small benefit for such a long term loss of land. Is the annual return of approximately $200,000 adequate compared to the profits that ADM will realize from this project?

The environmental concerns of the community are valid. The environmental assessment performed by Inspecsol was as specified by ADM who paid for its cost. Review of the report by knowledgeable community members and others outside of the community indicate the shortcomings of the report. Shouldn't there be an independent assessment made to present an unbiased review of the project?

The image of an immense multi-national corporation operating a huge facility on our territory and bowing to our laws somehow does not seem plausible in view of the track record of this particular corporation.

The MCK presumes that the opposition to this project is against economic development in Kahnawake. This is not true. The MCK is in a position to attract other companies to form true joint-ventures, where the profits are shared in proportion to the risks that each partner invests. Before further ventures are entertained, the ground rules have to be laid down. The community has to be consulted on the kind of businesses that should be attracted. If certain areas are to be set aside for commercial use, guidelines must be set up on the nature of businesses, the size of the buildings, the appearance of the site and the maintenance of environmental and esthetic concerns have to be addressed. When these issues have been resolved, the MCK or any private individual will have the guidelines in front of them when they seek to form a partnership with outside interests. In the case of ADM, the MCK has leaped before they looked into the sentiments of the people.

Where are we going on the Seigneury claim?

The ADM project has touched upon the need for more land. If land is to be set aside for light industry then other land has to be made available for homes and recreation.

The Seigneury claim has been raised as a means to obtain this land. There is no doubt that the Seigneury land claim is valid. The question is, what is the MCK going to insist upon in this claim?

There are several areas that need to be addressed. First and foremost is the return of our Land Rights to this land. This could be defined as our right to occupy, set up businesses within the disputed area and maintain the same rights that we enjoy within the present bounds of Kahnawake.

There should be a return of as much land to our community as possible for our immediate use and enjoyment. We should be compensated for the loss of revenues from the use of our lands from the time of the usurpation by the settler population.

An annual revenue to our treasury for the use and occupation of our land must be determined. A moratorium must be declared on any further development within this territory, while a process is formed to review future development.

In short, the control of this land must be returned to us and soon. Our economic development and jobs have been strangled by a lack of economic base rather than a reluctance to get involved in its development.

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Comics

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