Indonesian leaders resist Canadian Mining in their Communities

Canadian mining has and continues to  be linked to grave human rights abuses, loss of lives and livelihoods,  poverty, pollution, deforestation, violence, intimidation of activists,  gender inequality, and an increase in HIV/AIDS and other health conditions  associated with poverty and exposure to pollution.

Rima Mananta, an indigenous Indonesian community leader, and Inda Fatinaware, a long time environmental campaigner with Friends of the Earth Indonesia, visited Atlantic Canada to share stories of the decades-long struggle with the Canadian-owned Inco nickel mine and smelter in Sorowako, Indonesia.

Rima Mananta from the Karonsi'e Dongi indigenous community speaking to a university class at St. Thomas University

Group photo with Rima Mananta from the Karonsi'e Dongi indigenous community and Inda Fatinaware from Friends of the Earth, Indonesia

In Indonesia, Inco's smelter emissions exceed the country's air quality guidelines, and the Karonsi'e Dongi indigenous community live without a secure livelihood, drinking water source or place to live after being displaced decades ago to make way for the mine. They have received little or no compensation. Inco has also pressured the Indonesian government to allow them to mine in protected forests, currently prohibited by Indonesia's Forestry Act.

Indonesian visitors accompanied by other Inco affected community members and supporting NGO representatives

Rima told the story of Yuliana, a 70 year old Karonsi'e Dongi woman participating in a hunger strike during an occupation of the Inco regional office in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, September 2005. She lives on the outskirts of Inco's golf course. The golf course was where her community once lived and grew fruit trees for a living. Today, her community struggles to survive while facing military intimidation.

The scarf on Yuliana's  forehead reads "Give back the rights of the community" and on her mouth "Hunger Strike"

Following the east coast tour organized by the Indonesian Mining Advocacy Network, the Fredericton Social Network and the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Interest Group, the Indonesian mining activists travelled to Montreal to attend the November 14th government roundtable on mining where they called on the Canadian government to regulate Canadian mining, oil and gas companies operating overseas.

Inda Fatinaware from Friends of the Earth Indonesia and Professor Irene Novaczek at a presentation at the University of Prince Edward Island

In Montreal, the Indonesian representatives met with other affected community members from Canada and around the world: Amanda Quiche originally from a Guatemalan Mayan community situated near the exploration of a Canadian-owned gold mining company; Diana Wiggins from the Inco affected community of Port Colborne; Jacques Boengkih from the Inco affected Kanaky indigenous community in New Caledonia; Rick Grylls from the Mine Mill/CAW Union in Sudbury, Ontario. The delegates were also accompanied by NGO representatives, such as Catherine Coumans from MiningWatch Canada and Tracy Glynn from the Indonesian Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM).

SJF contribution: $500 November 2006