Final warning given to logging companies

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Lubicon Lake Chief Bernard Ominayak has issued a final warning to logging companies working on lands claimed by his band.

Unauthorized logging equipment on lands claimed by the band "will be subject to removal at any time," said the chief, who told protesters gathered outside the Manulife building in Edmonton Nov. 8 "this is the only warning they'll get.

"we have given notice, effective today, they have to have the proper authorization permits from the Lubicon people if they want to continue," he said to the crowd of 200 demonstrators, who managed to block four lanes of traffic on 101st Street, during the protest against Japanese logging operations in northern Alberta. He said approval of such operating permits, licenses and leases "will be subject to the payment of past and future royalties and to compliance with Lubicon environmental protection and wildlife management laws."

Ominayak said subcontractors working for Buchanan Lumber of High Prairie have begun logging operations about 48 km northeast of Little Buffalo even though they were warned not to.

On Aug. 31 when a Daishowa subsidiary and three other companies announced their plans to log on Lubicon claimed land, Ominayak said the band would take whatever action was necessary to "stop them from logging on our traditional land."

Buchanan Lumber officials could not be reached for comment.

Ominayak said it is difficult to say what will happen when "after years of unsuccessfully trying to protect Lubicon land rights through the Canadian courts and around the negotiating table the Lubicon people have been forced to defend ourselves and our land as best we know how."

Lubicon adviser Fred Lennarson, who has been left out of the removal plans for security reasons, said a number of actions could be taken. Roads, oil pipelines, bridges and power lines in the 10,000 sq.-km. disputed land area could be targeted, he said.

The attorney general's office has warned that if the Lubicons break the law in their dispute they will be dealt with in accordance with the law.