“The earth is God’s and all that is in it” reads a Biblical verse in Psalm 24. While on a visit to Peru I heard some Peruvians express that verse in a variety of ways as they critiqued mining operations in the northern Peruvian Andes Mountains. The sacredness of the land is a seed planted in the hearts of the Peruvian people and in the country’s soil since the Inca Kingdom dominated vast areas of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. Peruvians today continue to acknowledge the sacredness of the land offering prayer and gifts to mamapacha and mamacocha, the goddesses of earth and water. However, they are also finding their voice to speak out and to protest environmental damage caused in the extraction of their natural resources. In 2012, concerned Peruvians protested with a “Great National Water March” to call attention to the contamination of lakes and rivers surrounding mining projects.
In 2013, protests were repeated when “four highland lakes are slated for conversion into toxic waste dumps. In return for this woeful act of vandalism, the company claims it will build a network of artificial reservoirs for the local population”. The people opposed this plan and established a group of citizens “The Guardians” who voluntarily keep vigil at the lakes to prevent toxic waste from entering them.
Since Canada owns a large percentage of the world’s mining and mineral exploration companies, Canada is uniquely positioned to promote responsible development when extracting resources whether in Canada or abroad. Our Canadian government is supportive of the expansion of the Canadian mining industry through various programs and policies. Can we also be supportive of encouraging environmental justice and protection of land and water rights?
Mabel St. Louis, CSJ