MiningWatch is turning 25!
Join us for our in-person conference in Ottawa on June 7, which will be a special opportunity to reflect on where we were when MiningWatch Canada first formed 25 years ago and the challenges posed by a global intensification of mining today. We set out to bring people together to exchange experiences and grow solidarity and expertise to challenge the power of the mining industry and the politics that serve it, building networks, coalitions, and relationships. What have we learned? And where do we go from here? Gain important insight into how the struggle for mining justice has evolved and hear from Indigenous and other mining-affected communities about their powerful organizing strategies to protect life for generations to come.
Registration is now closed.
Details: June 7, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM - 5PM with reception to follow
Location: NCC River House, 501 Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier Pkwy, Ottawa, ON K1M 2K7
PARKING
Limited parking is available at P3 (15 to 20 spots, including accessible parking spaces) across from the NCC River House or at P4 (40 spots), east of the NCC River House, within a short walking distance along the Ottawa River Pathway. A drop-off lane is located along the parkway for universally accessible drop-offs.
More information on getting to the NCC River House by public transportation, biking, or boat is available here.
AGENDA
10:30 AM: Elder opening by Monique Manatch
10:45 AM: Welcome and overview by Jamie Kneen, Canada Program Co-Lead with MiningWatch
10:55 AM: Small group discussions: How has MiningWatch shaped your actions for mining justice? Where should we go from here?
12:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 PM - Panel : “25 years strengthening a global movement for mining justice”
- Catherine Coumans, Asia-Pacific Coordinator for MiningWatch
- Jamie Kneen, Canada Program Co-Lead for MIningWatch
- Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina in the Philippines (via Zoom)
- Sayok':la Kindness-Williams, Indigenous Caucus Coordinator for the Western Mining Action Network (WMAN)
- Loretta Williams, Southern Dakelh Nation Alliance and Co-Founder of First Nations Women Advocating for Responsible Mining (FNWARM)
- Panel moderated by Ugo Lapointe, member of Firelight Group and former MiningWatch staff member
2:30 PM: Break
2:50 PM: Reflection by Joan Kuyek, founding National Coordinator of MiningWatch Canada, on network building and community power
3:00 PM - Panel: “Community-focused strategies to confront mining injustice”
- Josefina Tunki, former President of the Shuar Arutam People in Ecuador (via video)
- Damaris Sanchez Samudio, Co-founder of Panamá Vale Más Sin Minería (via video)
- Oscar Estupiñan, Co-founder of the Comité Santurbán in Colombia (via video)
- Viviana Herrera, Latin America Program Coordinator for MiningWatch
- Steeve Mathias, Lead Negotiator for the Long Point First Nation Council
- Panel moderated by Donna Ashamock, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for MiningWatch Canada
4:30 PM: Closing reflection with Loretta Williams of the Southern Dakelh Nation Alliance and Rodrigue Turgeon, Canada Program Co-Lead for MiningWatch Canada
4:50 PM: Elder closing by Monique Manatch
5:00 - 6:30 PM: Reception
See participant bios here.