Indigenous nations and communities continue to speak up and express their perspectives on nuclear energy and radioactive waste. The Passamaquoddy Recognition Group (PRGI) and the CEDAR project at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, Canada, co-produced a report and video published in November 2024 to amplify these Indigenous voices.
On this page you can access the report, the video Askomiw Ksanaqak (Forever Dangerous) – Indigenous Nations Resist Nuclear Colonialism, the launch event, and media about the report and event.
Report
Indigenous Views on Nuclear Energy and Radioactive Waste
Download the report HERE.
(pdf, 3.8 MB)
Video
Askomiw Ksanaqak (Forever Dangerous) – Indigenous Nations Resist Nuclear Colonialism. Watch the video, below (10 minutes).
More resources
William ‘Eric’ Altvater, who took the beautiful photos of the Bay of Fundy included in the report, wrote an op-ed published by The Hill Times and the NB Media Co-op, “First Nations chiefs shouldn’t be duped by ‘nuclear-is-green’ deception.” Read it HERE.
Please help to amplify these Indigenous voices. Some ideas:
• Read the report, watch the video and talk about it with your friends.
• Send this page link to your friends and networks.
• We made short videos about this project – available HERE – that you can share on your social media.
• Show the 10-minute video below to classes / groups and get some discussions going.
• Share your opinions with your elected representatives.
In April 2024, PRGI organized a press conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. Participants were Chief Hugh Akagi and Kim Reeder of PRGI, Chief Ron Tremblay of the Wolastoq Grand Council, Councillor Peyton Pitawanakwat of Missisauga First Nation, and Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada. To watch the video of the press conference on April 30, 2024, click HERE. To read the media release from April 30, click HERE.
Report and video launch event
On November 29, 2024, St. Thomas University in Fredericton hosted the launch of the report, Indigenous Views on Nuclear Energy and Radioactive Waste, and video.
The speakers at the launch event were:
• Chief Ron Tremblay, Wolastoq Grand Council
• Elder Alma Brooks, Wolastoq Grand Council
• Chief Hugh Akagi, Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik
• Dr. Nauman Farooqi, President and Vice-Chancellor, St. Thomas University
• Jenica Atwin, MP for Fredericton and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada
• David Coon, MLA for Fredericton-Lincoln
• Robert Atwin, Research Assistant at Passamaquoddy Recognition Group Inc.
• Dr. Susan O’Donnell, Adjunct Research Professor, St. Thomas University
Media about the report and video and the launch event
Nov. 29: New study highlights Indigenous nations’ opposition to nuclear projects, NB Media Co-op.
Dec. 1: Most Indigenous communities do not support nuclear energy: report, Global News.
Dec. 3: Forever dangerous: New video outlines Indigenous Nations’ positions on nuclear energy and waste, NB Media Co-op.
Dec. 4: Atwin’s anti-nuke stance in a pro-nuclear Liberal government. Telegraph Journal.
The NB Media Co-op published the recording of the event launch on their YouTube channel, below.
Photos of the launch (by Emma Fackenthall, CEDAR and Kim Reeder, PRGI)
