"I am worried about greenwashing. I think we should come down on it very, very hard, whether it's with criminal intent or actively deceptive." - John Elkington, business author
Zibi's consultation efforts
First Nation's Grandmothers' protest against the Zibi development
No consultation was done with any First Nation regarding the hydro dam or Zibi condominium development prior to 2014.
Windmill held 2 consultation meetings in 2014 with Pikwakanagan and Kitigan Zibi. None of the other 8 Algonquin Nations have been consulted.
The City of Ottawa held a City Hall consultation session on Oct 2, 2014. They received 38 objections to the development and 76 letters stating clear negative feedback. Since then, Zibi has continued their consultation efforts with Pikwakanagan and Kitigan Zibi while continuing to ignore the remaining Algonquin Nations.
Ironically, in 1985 and again in 1998, the NCC was to submit to the Cabinet a proposal for First Nations presence on the Sacred Islands. The NCC had commissioned Douglas Cardinal to propose a design that would support First Nations presence. Mr. Cardinal worked intimately with Grandfather William Commanda to elaborate the full "Vision for the Sacred Site". In anticipation of preserving the islands for First Nations presence, the City of Ottawa zoned them "Parks and Open Spaces" in 1998. Click here to see the design created by Douglas Cardinal and William Commanda.
Today, Mr. Cardinal is now in court on behalf of Algonquins to protect the islands from being rezoned and used for high-density commercial and condominium development. Click here for further court updates.