Saving Bala Falls: Update

Peggy Peterson

Today is a important day and difficult day on this path to protect and defend the Wahta Mohawks traditional Portage and the Town of Bala from a private for profit power company. today. We have some incredible news to share with you I officially began this journey exactly eight months ago today and of course it has changed everything about me , I would never have done this if I had given it much thought , I pitched my tent on Sept 1 2015 and have been as persistent and peaceful as possible in my attempts to unify the people to stop this project.

WE HAVE HAD SO MANY SUCCESSES AND THE PROJECT IS STILL STOPPED BECAUSE OF ALL OF US DOING OUR BEST

.

The good news is that a group of people from Save the Bala Falls have worked their way up to some Provincial Government Officials. They have recently come to me to tell me that They are having trouble getting the attention of these individuals in these conversations because these VIP 's of Government are distracted by the woman camped in the Park.

THIS IS INCREDIBLE NEWS
WE HAVE THE ATTENTION OF GOVERNMENT AND I AM THRILLED !!
So all of the hard work has successfully protect Turtle Island has paid off and it looks like we have some serious leverage at the Province., now we will get them to listen to us and get this PROJECT STOPPED by being very loud and proud .

Here is the bad news in today's announcement, something that have been hoping to change over these eight months and that is my relationship with the Corporate Entity established seven years ago that unified this community to fight this battle with Government.

The STBF leadership currently in control has been unable to find a way to support me, or assist me really in spite of my many attempts to work with them in this effort. 

I hope everyone understand just how challenging this patriarchy has been and has become quite clear over the past few weeks that they are not interested in supporting or helping me including refusing to help me financially or fund raise for me.

In an e-mail to me , Auntie Nanuuq, dated April 26, 2015 at 6:55 am: Mitchell S states.: "

The money that is donated to Peggy through Interac is deposited into a bank account for her (I am going to interject here: "A Bank Account", does not mean, in any way, Peggy's Personal Bank Account.)  – by a very trusted supporter who is an accountant, and this is another example of the support Peggy is getting. And this is much more support than I get. I have given hundreds of dollars to Peggy. Peggy often doesn’t even know who the donors are, and thousands of dollars have been donated to her." 

Again my response: "A Bank Account" is not Peggy's personal account, so not only does Peggy not "know" about the money given to SBTF in her name, she also doesn't have access to the money. Peggy has Never Legally Signed onto any "bank account" that was created by STBF in her name (without her consent).  

I do believe the majority of STBF membership does support our efforts to protect Turtle Island and my concerns relate to the leadership only and I cannot spend any more energy trying change this attitude.
I have been forced into a corner literally in Bala and I am hoping the truth will help us move along. It may get bumpy between us but the lights need to shine and we have to work cooperatively.
I must clearly put this lack of a collective voice on the current leadership or this Corporation since that are currently and seriously asking for me to leave Bala, they have great hopes of listening ears if they remove the lone protester , so sharing this is very important for all of you and difficult for me.
" They" have recently crossed a serious personal line with the disparaging this week and I can no longer keep this an internal issue. I must go public.

If you have any advice (for the) leadership please peacefully email
them at info@savethebalafalls.com with your words of wisdom .
The time of my life I have spent protecting the trees and water has been the most amazing journey and I have nothing but gratitude for all of my experiences and all of you.
I cannot help but wonder what we could have accomplished if the Corporate entity had decided to work as part of a Team Turtle Island?

The story is true, I did not know anyone and any of the stories when I came to Bala Muskoka and I intentionally did not get involved with the history of this ten year fight in its details,
I just recognized the importance of keeping this sacred place and stopping this project when I realized that the town was feeling hopeless to stop it. So I did the only thing I thought might help, I moved onto the land beside the falls.

The First Nations have declared opening and honestly that they have not been respectfully consulted and that still stands as a road block to any harm this government is planning.
I have been inspired around me everyday since and that includes all of the people have been their for me and I hope you will be here for me as we work through this current challenge in communication.

So not matter what we stay the course and it stop the project and protect this waterfront legacy for future generations
PEACE

I am Idle No More In Bala, we begin month NINE of Occupy Bala Falls

The Fight For Bala: It's Not A Done Deal