Letter to the editor: Open letter to the Anishinabek Nation

My name is Chantal Dostaler, I am 11th generation French-Canadian. I likely have Ojibwe Ancestry. This isn’t something I can currently substantiate, I feel it important to mention to honour those that may have been lost/colonized along the way… I was born, and currently live in Ottawa, on beautiful non-surrendered, unceded traditional Algonquin Territory.

Geeghigo-Quae ni-dij-na-kaz Anishinaabe Agokwe-nini. It is a story of its own of how I have come to be part of the circle. I reach out, with humility, to give a forewarning of the story I carry and its prospects for reconciliation. I am a whistleblower for dogs in the sled dog industry.

I worked for five years in the Dogsled Industry in Ontario, Canada. Where I worked, in the Nipissing area (South River, Ontario), there were 400 dogs on 4-foot chains living in plastic barrels. In the summer, I was told to feed them as little as possible. At Chocpaw Expeditions, dogs were shot in mass numbers, puppies were drowned; I buried rotten dogs alone in the rain and shot a dog for my employer: Hope.

In August 2017, I was fired when I refused to take a group of youth out on a 6-day canoe trip in Algonquin— I refused this work because I no longer felt I could carry this responsibility due to the frailty of my mental health because of the workplace conditions. Particularly the treatment of the dogs.

Not all kennel dogs are treated in terrible ways that I’ve experienced. Check out the Sled Dogs Film. It is safe to say that generally the treatment of sled dogs in Canada is not honourable.

The core issue is the absence of animal protection laws which creates systemic pitfalls within the whole sector which can be seen anywhere from the front line workers all the way up to the courts.

The language used in Canadian law when it comes to animals is worded in such ways that are up for debate: personhood and property.

I send this message to you because this is pertinent information. The mistreatment of sled dogs is starting to get recognition in the media. Stories of this nature are making headlines. Canada is starting to see the mistreatment of its animals.

Ontario has passed a new animal welfare legislation, PAWS ACT: An act focused on enforcing animal welfare legislation.

The Paws Act’s Chief Animal Welfare Inspector- and the transparency of this new title should call for better ability to gain information while investigating allegations – and hopefully this professional will already be aware of all the discrepancies in this entire system of animal protection (not have to find out step-by-step like I did).

I foresee a recommendation will to reform of animal protection laws for companion animals.

The animal protection laws are covered under the Standards of Care regulations. The regulations are refutable whereas archaic “generally accepted practices” are considered necessary in the agriculture industry therefore leaving agriculture animals with little to no protection under the law.

The Agriculture industry has also been subjected to harsh criticism, as not only does it mistreat its animals, but science shows that the multi-million dollar agriculture industry is the leading cause of climate change.

Vegans in particular have recognized this mistreatment and are calling for change. Animal rights activists have been putting themselves in the front lines to expose such cruelty. This is important work.

Unfortunately, the provincial Agriculture Minister put forward a new bill in Ontario, “The Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act” Bill 156, which will immobilize those fighting for the rights of the domesticated four-legged.

“This vaguely-worded prohibition could effectively shut down undercover exposés into conditions on industrial farms, which may involve seeking employment without disclosing an intention to blow the whistle on cruel and illegal conditions,” said Camille Labchuk, Executive Director of Animal Justice and animal rights lawyer.

I came into the Sled Dog industry without truly knowing what I was getting myself into.  When it was all over, I lost my mind, suffered with debilitating depression and almost took my own life. I am still here thanks to numerous Elders and Wabano Community Centre for Aboriginal Health.

I truly cannot think of anything else I can do at this point unless I am specifically called upon. I must say if it wasn’t for animal protection groups supporting my whistleblowing and aiding in the cause for dogs in the sled dog industry, I am not so sure I would be able to write to you with such conviction and for that, I consider Animal Rights Activists my best Allies.

I digress, Canadians will be appalled by the idea of dogs being treated in this way. I have already been made aware that Canada will likely come to the Assembly of First Nations and the Inuit about dog sledding.

There is no doubt: Dog sledding is inherently linked to Turtle Island. My conclusion is that an Indigenous perspective on the dog sledding industry has the potential to help foster a great shift in the ever-growing, new sector of animal protection. I foresee this shift trickling down to Canada’s environmental laws do to our profound understanding to All Our Relations and our Mother, the Earth.

I haven’t always been met with respect from my allies because I hunt and fish, which is a huge conflict of interest for Animal Rights activists. I’ve noticed that they do not carry that same respect and ceremony to those with roots (plant beings) and that is a conflict of interest for myself. However, some of us are able to set our differences aside to reach a common goal.

Humans’ relations to dogs are profound. This is an opportunity.

Whereas Section 35(1) of the constitution act, “The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the

Aboriginal people in Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed”.

It’s the Indigenous perspective that should govern the treatment of all our relations in Canada. I see no other way forward other than Wahkohtowin. I hope you see it too.

With Humility, Bravery, Trust and Respect,

Chantal Dostaler