Indians Reject Environmental Legislation

In Rotterdam the Fourth Russell Tribunal studied the rights of Indians from 24 to 30 November 1980. In addition to dealing with general problems the participants examined specific cases such as the Canadian Savant Lake Ojibway Indians. They were troubled with laws to protect the environment. The regulation on beaver quota that allowed a hunter to only shoot 'a half beaver' per beaver habitat was unacceptable. One boy from their tribe who had shot a duck for his breakfast was fined for exceeding the Migratory Birds Convention Act. The Ojibway pleaded to have their own reserve so they could pursue their traditional way of life without interference by the Ministry of Natural Resources.