The Nation has elected to take further steps to protect their inherent and treaty rights especially in the Shoal Lake watershed area of the territory.

Yesterday Chief Eli Mandamin sent letters to two companies conducting business within the watershed that have significant impacts on the Nation’s inherent and treaty rights as well as long-term implication for the environmental health of the area.

The companies are – Royal Lake Resorts, Inc. and Tabl’eau Filtered Water. Both are Manitoba based companies who are conducting businesses using the Nation’s resources.

Royal Lake Resorts is a planned upscale waterfront development on Royal Lake in Ontario. Royal Lake is within the Shoal Lake watershed and the development is located on the north side of Highway 17 (TransCanada Highway). It has become a contentious focal point in the negotiations between the Nation and Ontario Ministry of Transportation concerning MTO’s planned twinning of Highway 17 from the Manitoba border to Rush Bay, Ontario.

A significant portion of the highway design plans to route the proposed expansion south of the exiting highway and into an area that the Nation has notified MTO will threaten fresh water springs and an important spiritual site. MTO, through District Manager Ian Smith has refused to consider moving the design north for three reasons:

1. Moving the planned route would impact Royal Lake Resorts’ new septic fields. For that Nation this means that septic fields are more important than a sacred site or fresh water.
2. The planned route is actually going to be the new route for the twinning of the highway and that the existing stretch of Highway 17 will be abandoned essentially giving Manitoba cottage owners a free highway.
3. The design moves out of what has been described as the “Paypom Corridor”. The current route is the northern right-of-way granted by the Chiefs in Treaty #3 and the new segment constitutes a treaty violation and an attempt to take up land without a treaty.

Because of these positions the Nation has told MTO that if these plans go unchanged we will resist the highway by all means necessary.

In the case of Tabl’eau Filtered Water the Nation recently became aware of this company and its plans to take Shoal Lake water, bottle it and market it overseas. The Nation visited the company’s web site at where in their promotional materials it was found that the company has plans to market and sell the water overseas and the United Arab Emirates in particular. In a letter dated January 30, 2012, Chief Eli Mandamin has notified the company that their plans are unacceptable to the Nation stating, “Therefore, we hereby request that you cease and desist in this effort to misuse our water, and failure to do so may result in legal action being taken.

The Nation views this company’s efforts a continuing violation of the terms and conditions for use of Shoal Lake water by the City of Winnipeg and in particular the International Joint Commission made it clear that water from Shoal Lake was to be used only for Winnipeg, St. Boniface, Transcona, Assiniboia, Fort Garry, St. Vital and Kildonan – none of which are in the United Arab Emirates.

Secondly, the Nation the IJC condition that water from Shoal Lake “…shall be used only for the purposes for municipalities and residents therein ordinarily us water..” The commercial sale of our water does not fall within this restriction.

It is our position that corporations, or other business entities, are subject to the legal mandate of consultation and accommodation as much as governments are. In the Treaty 3 territory this mandate is further heightened by the following treaty requirement:

Her Majesty reserves the right to deal with such settlers as She shall deem just so as not to diminish the extent of land allotted to Indians; and provided also that the aforesaid reserves of lands, or any interest or right therein or appurtenant thereto, may be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of by the said Government for the use and benefit of the said Indians, with the consent of the Indians entitled thereto first had and obtained.” (Emphasis added)

We hope that the companies see the wisdom of complying and choose to meet with the Chief and Council.

For further information contact: Mike Myers (807) 733-2560 or skanon7[at]gmail.com

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Here are a few quotes and quips form last weeks historic meeting:

“The fact that the federal government agreed to this meeting was a positive first step. However, what really matters is how the Government demonstrates that they understood the messages that were delivered yesterday. Our people delivered a strong message yesterday, we are fed up with Canada’s disrespectful approach and require a return to our original treaty based relationship with the Crown and respect for our right to self-determination” stated Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. Source

(Harper)He told the gathering “we have no grand scheme to repeal or rewrite the Indian Act.” Instead, he said “there are ways, creative ways, collaborative ways, ways that involve consultation between our government, the provinces and First Nations leadership and communities, ways that provide options within the act, or outside of it, for practical, incremental and real change.” Source

AFN leader Shawn Atleo told the gathering the act was “Built on the disgraceful premise of our inferiority, aimed at assimilation and the destruction of our cultures, it was a complete abrogation of the partnership between respectful nations,” he said. Source

“We have epidemic health and social issues, gross inequities in funding for our students, and virtually no share in the billions in resources being stolen from our traditional territories,” said Chief Patrick Madahbee of the Anishinabek Nation. Source

“The Crown-First Nation Gathering is an important first step in renewing the relationship between First Nations and our historic partner, the Crown,” National Chief Atleo said. “We have emerged with a shared understanding that building stronger First Nations and a stronger Canada requires us to reinvigorate the original relationship that was based on partnership, sharing and trust. We have a commitment to act on key priorities guided by recognition and implementation of First Nations rights. The key now is for the government to act on our shared commitments so that we move forward together. I look forward to an early demonstration of that commitment from the Government of Canada.” Source

If landmark talks this week between First Nations and the federal government were akin to an exchange of vows on a new relationship, the next federal budget might resemble a ring to seal the deal. Source

The Prime Minister spoke at the summit about the need to train young aboriginal people for jobs in the expanding resource economy. But even that was greeted with suspicion. Stan Beardy, the Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation in Northern Ontario, quipped that, while the government seems intent on preparing his young people to work for somebody else, “we want to develop [the land] so somebody would work for us and make money for us.” Source

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The utility of a wheel, in what has become Canada, was significantly limited by topography. In some parts of Canada it would have been almost impossible to roll one wheel by itself let alone two side by side on an axle. The Aboriginal Peoples had other methods of travel that better suited the topography, such as birch bark or cedar dugout canoes or kayaks – efficient methods of travel that were quickly adopted by the European settlers.

While many of the Aboriginal Peoples of North America relied on oral histories instead of a written language, Indigenous Peoples were recording historical events in the form of pictographs in various materials. The Maya and Inca were recording history in stone while some of the plains peoples were recording historical events on buffalo hides.

Many Aboriginal communities in North America lived in societies reliant upon oral histories. They passed their history to future generations through stories, songs, and oral communications. These histories have been considered accurate enough that the Supreme Court of Canada in 1997 ruled  that oral testimony and oral history are admissible as evidence in a court of law where the history can be corroborated. This is also indicative of the weight put on the spoken word by Aboriginal Peoples.

Hint and Tip for Working Effectively with Aboriginal Peoples ™:

It cannot be emphasized enough that extra attention be paid to verbal commitments made to Aboriginal Peoples.  Honour all of  them if you make them.  

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Treaties must be the Foundation in Effort to Renew the First Nations Crown Relationship

Rio Tinto Alcan returns traditional lands to the Cheslatta Carrier Nation   Rio Tinto Alcan has transferred approximately 11,000 acres of land to the Cheslatta Carrier Nation.

Historic belt brought to Ottawa in bid to retie Crown, First Nations A Wampum belt was used at the First Nation Summit. This is the first time it has been used in centuries.

Sask. First Nation group aims for self-governance

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Mineral Exploration Mining Advisor – Matawa First Nations Management – ON

Account Services Intern – Cossette – MB

9 Health Region – Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region – SK

Manager Engineer – Reform Energy Services Calgary – AB

Office Administrator - Corix Group of Companies – BC

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“This important event is the culmination of over ten years of discussions between us and the community to return these traditional lands to the Cheslatta Carrier Nation. Today is an important milestone and represents how we can move forward cooperatively,” said Jean Simon, president and chief executive officer, Primary Metal, Rio Tinto Alcan. “I am honoured to be the one, on behalf of our company, to bring this long standing issue to conclusion for the benefit of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation people.”

“Today we get back what we lost 60 years ago.” said Cheslatta Chief Richard Peters, “Land is the backbone of any community and this land is truly the foundation for our future. We are most grateful for the hard work and dedication of former Cheslatta leaders and we also thank Rio Tinto Alcan for being a modern and progressive corporation that understands the significance of the land to the Cheslatta people. We are fully committed to continue working together.”

“I am proud of the respectful and effective relationship that we have developed with the Cheslatta Carrier Nation. I am also proud that both parties demonstrated great patience, support and commitment to this process that allows us to recognize the past while opening a new door to a brighter future,” said Paul Henning, vice president, Strategic Projects, Western Canada for Rio Tinto Alcan.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto’s business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.

For further information:

Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations
Bryan Tucker
Tel.: +1 514 848 8151
bryan.tucker@riotinto.com.

Media Relations, Kitimat
Colleen Nyce
Tel.: +1 250 639 8760
colleen.nyce@riotinto.com.

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“The fact that the federal government agreed to this meeting was a positive first step. However, what really matters is how the Government demonstrates that they understood the messages that were delivered yesterday. Our people delivered a strong message yesterday, we are fed up with Canada’s disrespectful approach and require a return to our original treaty based relationship with the Crown and respect for our right to self-determination” stated Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.

The Regional Chief indicated that the remarks of the Governor General on the need to affirm the original Treaty relationship were welcome but there was disappointment that Prime Minister Harper failed in his remarks to reaffirm the original Treaty relationship. The Regional Chief emphasized that the First Nations in Ontario will continue to do their work to ensure that Treaties are the basis of the First Nations-Crown relationship. He indicated that the federal government has failed to honour the true spirit and intent existing in the Treaties and instead they have interpreted them to their advantage and to the great detriment of First Nations.

“Our focus is on the Treaties and we will not be swayed from this. Rebuilding a relationship with Canada based on mutual respect, autonomy, and friendship, as envisioned in the Treaties, will put First Nations on the path to achieving a more promising future for our children and grandchildren” said the Regional Chief.

First Nations put the federal government on notice that we will continue to assert our inherent and treaty rights as Nations. “We will not be dictated to or accept the willful disregard for our rights. To survive as Peoples, we must have full control over our lives. Only we have the answers and solutions to the challenges we face.” stated Regional Chief Toulouse.

The First Nations in Ontario expect the federal government to respect their basic collectively held human right to self-determination. And when required to work with them as equal partners in developing plans to address the challenges that exist and to eliminate the barriers that prevent First Nations individuals and nations from fulfilling their potential. This includes overcoming the colonial system and approach, phasing out the Indian Act, establishing new fiscal arrangements and the creation of government-to-government mechanisms.

“The current approach of the federal government is to develop legislation in isolation and then to engage First Nations in a meaningless process of consultation. It is not respectful of the treaty relationship when one party unilaterally continues to dictate to the other” said the Regional Chief.

Regional Chief Toulouse noted that the First Nations in Ontario feel the meeting with the federal government was a step in restoring a relationship with Canada. First Nations will require an ongoing dialogue and joint effort focused on achieving progress for First Nations, which includes a plan to facilitate understanding of basic treaty relationship principles and implementation, greater First Nations control over resource development on traditional lands and building sustainable First Nations economies which will provide direct benefits to First Nations citizens and all Canadians.

“Yesterday our leaders and citizens stood and walked together to deliver this message – Treaty violations must end. We will be watching closely to see what results from this Gathering. Grand statements and gestures are useless without a change in actions. Our people are watching — our youth are watching — to see what comes next and we will consider all options available to us to ensure the Crown upholds its responsibilities as embodied in the treaties,” stated Regional Chief Toulouse.

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For more information, please contact:
Andre Morriseau, Communications Officer
Ph: 416-580-9320

Email: andre[at]coo.org

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Business Analyst – TD Bank – ON

Managed Services Technician – Primus Telecommunications Canada – AB

Practical Nursing Instructor – SIAST – SK

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Ottawa, ON – The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians viewed yesterday’s historic Crown-First Nation Gathering as an opportunity for the government of Canada to reset the relationship with First Nations that would pave a path for peace, equality, trust and reconcile the Treaty and Nation to Nation relationship.

It seems that the Harper government has not taken full advantage of this opportunity. Instead they have chosen to continue the status quo, by forming task forces and continuing to work within the antiquated Indian Act.

The AIAI proposed real and achievable solutions that would see the government of Canada and First Nations taking concrete steps with clear milestones for accomplishing the dismantling of the colonial system, including the phasing out of the Indian Act, the creation of government to government mechanisms, and the clear acknowledgement of the inherent and treaty rights of Indigenous Nations.

Grand Chief Stonefish stated, “Our Chiefs offered realistic solutions to the Prime Minister, he appeared to be listening but it is obvious that he and his government did not or chose not hear our message.”

One distressing concern is that the Prime Ministers intends to “work around the Indian Act”, by creating legislation specific to First Nations. This patchwork method has not worked in the past and has only offered delegated authority to First Nations. The root of Canada’s policy of extinguishment and colonization will remain, the Indian Act.

Chief Sandra Moore of the Hiawatha First Nation states, “Our communities, families, and children are tired of waiting for action from the government. It is our responsibility to forge ahead, making a better world for our future generations. The Canadian government can either walk with us and support us in this effort or it can step out of our way.”

Chief Dean Sayers, Batchewana First Nation shared similar sentiments, “The Federal government has Treaty obligations that it refuses to recognize, we must implement our treaties with or without them.”

Regardless of the message the federal government has put out, AIAI First Nations will continue to work towards developing and implementing solutions that will improve the situations of their citizens and future generations.

AIAI is mandated as a political territorial organization to defend and enhance the Aboriginal and Treaty rights of its eight member First Nations. Visit them online at www.aiai.on.ca, www.facebook.com/aiai.pto, https://twitter.com/#!/aiai_comms , www.youtube.com/user/AIAIAdmin

For more information, please contact: John Jones, Communications Coordinator – AIAI at 519-434-2761 or jjones@aiai.on.ca. .

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Parliamentary Secretary Rickford Meets With Aboriginal Stakeholders to Discuss Economic Development

Detour Gold Concludes Impact and Benefit Agreement with Métis Nation of Ontario

ROF Signs Memorandum of Understanding With First Nations

First-Ever Aboriginal Judge Sworn in as Northwest Territories Supreme Court Justice

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