On December 21st 2012, members of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation organized a blockade of the CN St. Clair Industrial Spur rail line at Williams Road. This location was chosen because CN lacks the proper permits to legally cross this road. There was an earlier blockade at Tashmoo being organized but was relocated here for this reason.

The rail line services a number of large companies operating in Chemical Valley and CN transports an average volume of 450 cars worth of cargo daily, seven days a week. Some of the materials transported through Aamjiwnaang are plastics, ethylene, polyethylene, butane, propane, ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, methanol, raw materials and numerous other types of chemical, industrial freight heavily tied to the petrochemical industry.

Aamjiwnaang is geographically surrounded by these petrochemical companies and the pollution released into the atmosphere as a result of their activity has had a serious impact on the health of residents. Health problems include severe and frequent headaches, respiratory issues (asthma), learning disabilities (ADHD), depression, miscarriages or still births, cancers and premature death. Air pollution is not the only threat, the land and waterways have also been contaminated. Talfourd Creek runs through the reserve and is heavily polluted.

Residents of Aamjiwnaang have been dealing with the above issues and have had enough--in fact, I am quite surprised they have tolerated this problem for so long. They created the blockade to: 1) draw attention to the health impacts created by companies operating in Chemical Vally, 2) to stand in solidarity with other First Nations people, support the Idle No More movement and protest the trampling of Indigenous rights, 3) to raise awareness over the continued assault on our environment by the Harper Government and their corporate allies, and 4) to support Attawapiskat Chief Spence in an attempt force our Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston to meet with First Nation leaders.On December 21st 2012, members of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation organized a blockade of the CN St. Clair Industrial Spur rail line at Williams Road. This location was chosen because CN lacks the proper permits to legally cross this road. There was an earlier blockade at Tashmoo being organized but was relocated here for this reason.

The Conservatives latest Omnibus Budget Bill C-45 (passed into law on December 14th) makes a number of changes to the Indian Act, some of which concern the leasing of reserve land and on-reserve voting rights. Essentially, these changes make it easier for private corporations to gain control of reserve land. This was done without any consultation with First Nations people.
 
The continued erosion of environmental protections should also be a concern for everyone. The need for environmental assessments have been greatly reduced and the Navigable Waters Protection Act has been scrapped. Prior to Bill C-45 over two million lakes and 8,500 rivers were protected, that number has now been reduced to under 200.

Despite the injunction, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley and Police Chief Phil Nelson were reluctant to shutdown the blockade through force for fear it would impair relations between the City of Sarnia and Aamjiwnaang First Nation. A more peaceful solution was being sought.

Three days later on December 27th, the temporary injunction was extended indefinitely by the Ontario Superior Court in Toronto.

A community meeting was held at the Aamjiwnaang Community Centre on December 30th and its purpose was to address concerns over the blockade. Although the atmosphere was relatively positive, the final outcome did result in a lack of overall support for the continuation of the blockade however no plans were finalized.

On January 2nd, CN requested that blockade spokesperson Ron Plain and Sarnia Police Chief Phil Nelson be charged with contempt for failing to adhere to the court injunction served on December 24th. Aamjiwnaang Chief Chris Plain went before Justice John Desotti who made it very clear that the blockade was to be dismantled, and ordered it removed before midnight or the OPP would enforce the injunction.

Later that evening--after a short ceremony, Aamjiwnaang residents, with the help of their supporters, dismantled their blockade.

The blockade may have come down but Aamjiwnaang is "Idle No More" and this fight is far from over.