Mission to Grassy Narrows

Amnesty International researchers interview Joe Fobister of the Grassy Narrows Environmental Committee. 16 April 2007

Credit: Amnesty International

Mission Diary

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the international forestry giant Weyerhaeuser in Federal Way, Washington, was like a highly-staged theatrical event in a lush, green forest hide-away. Weyerhaeuser's headquarters are tucked away in a bucolic parkland area with nary a clearcut in sight.Approximately 500 people attended the 90 minute annual meeting. I was fortunate to get inside the AGM as several shareholders and activists attending the
shareholder meeting on proxies were barred entry.

Arthur Manuel of the Indigenous Network on Economies and Trade (INET) spoke to a 2-part human rights resolution filed by a concerned shareholder. The resolution asked the company to conduct a feasability study on securing wood supply for its Kenora mill from other sources than the Whiskey Jack Forest at Grassy Narrows. The second part asked the company to clarify its policy on Aboriginal relations in Canada, noting that the policy excludes discussion of company operations in areas where there are land rights conflicts.

The company's CEO, Steve Rogel, told shareholders that it is up to the Province of Ontario and the government of Canada to deal with the issues at Grassy Narrows. He told the assembly that, "we only buy the logs from Abitibi," and that Weyerhaeuser is not a party to the dispute. He also stated that the company did not agree that there were other sources of wood supply available for their Kenora mill. The Rainforest Action Network (RAN), which also attended the AGM, vigourously denies this assertion.

During question period, I asked the company how they planned to engage with the Canadian government and the Province of Ontario about the human rights and land rights issues of the Grassy Narrows people, and specifically, how the company would address the gap in its Aboriginal Policy and Framework on operating in areas of land use dispute.

Only RAN, INET, and Amnesty spoke up during the question period. All shareholder votes were cast prior to the meeting. Swiftly, the voting was tallied and the resolution on Grassy Narrows was defeated. However, the resolution garnered 5% of the vote, which means that the issue can be re-introduced next year. A modest victory, and one that will be pursued.

Grassy Narrows, you were front and centre yesterday in our hearts and in the room at the Weyerhaeuser AGM.

Posted By: Tara Scurr , April 20, 2007