4-17-00
Dear Cree sympathizers:
I urge you to consider writing and sending in a letter to the editor of the
Minneapolis paper in response to Tom Meersman's article about the
Environmental Justice Conference. We need to show everyone in Minnesota
that this is important to us. Please write something. It does not have to
be fancy, or as nasty as the one I've just written--see below. But we need
to get a lot of letters in so the newspaper will print at least ONE.
Additionally, the editors will then know that readers take enough interest
in the issue so that they might assign a reporter to cover the government's
upcoming decisions about Manitoba Hydro--and even be on the lookout for OUR
perspectives on those matters.
Consider writing something simple now. Here are the addresses:
opinion@startribune.com
or,
Letter to the Editor
Newsroom
Minneapolis Star Tribune
425 Portland Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55488
Your letter can be as simple as expressing sympathy for the plight of the
Indians. Whatever you think is true, commit it to paper and send it out.
For justice,
Diane J. Peterson
Member, Peace and Social Action Committee
Twin Cities Friends Meeting
St. Paul, Minnesota
(651) 653-4385
birch7@goldengate.net
===================================================
April 17, 2000
I agree with NSP's Jim Alders, who was quoted by your reporter on the
dispute over the failure of Manitoba Hydro to fulfill its 1977 contract with
the Indians in Manitoba's Cross Lake community. [Link between energy
issues, human rights explored: Canadian Indian
chief decries effects of hydroelectric power, by Tom Meersman , 17 April
2000, pB2.] "Alders said: 'We think that's an issue that needs to be
resolved by those closest to it: the Canadian government, Manitoba Hydro and
the first nations [Indian tribes].'" What I can't understand is why NSP
would want to do business with a company that does not keep its legal
contracts. Until that company gets around to keeping that contract--or,
treaty, if you will, NSP should steer clear it. Otherwise, NSP will be
guilty of environmental racism by collaborating with Manitoba Hydro. In
addition, NSP's eagerness to contract for more power from that Canadian
utility calls into question their street smarts: with a 23-year track
record of weaseling out of the contract with the Indians, how can they trust
Manitoba Hydro won't pull a fast one on them? NSP, drop Manitoba
Hydro-electricity like a hot potato! Stolen goods might be cheap, but
you've got to be crazy, or immoral, to knowingly buy them.
Diane J. Peterson
4051 Gisella Boulevard
White Bear Lake, Minnesota 55110
(651) 653-4385
birch7@goldengate.net