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December 18, 1998
(Executive Council)


Tentative Agreement in Principle reached

Premier Brian Tobin said today that he is pleased negotiators for the province, the Labrador Inuit Association and the Government of Canada were able to shake hands on a tentative Agreement in Principle around midnight last night in St. John's. The negotiators will now take the text back to their principals for approval.

"This marks another milestone in the progress toward a final comprehensive land claims agreement with the Inuit, and I am truly pleased," said the Premier. "We have made great progress since November of last year when we agreed upon the Ottawa negotiators' text, and now I look forward to a complete review of the Agreement In Principle. Once all three parties have had a chance to do so, more details will be forthcoming in the new year."

The premier said that the text will be examined carefully and full legal consideration will be given to the Agreement in Principle.

"This AIP comes as a result of the hard work and the dedicated efforts of negotiators for all three parties," said Premier Tobin. "I want to thank each of them for their time and patience and attention to detail. Without them, we would not be at this historic point in the land claims negotiating process."

Contact: Heidi Bonnell, Director of Communications, (709) 729-3564

NOTE: Information on the Ottawa Negotiators' text as announced on November 5, 1997, is available at www.gov.nl.ca under News Releases, Executive Council, Nov. 5, 1997
            Details of LIA's land claim agreement released
            Land Claims Backgrounders

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Land Claims - BACKGROUNDER

A comprehensive land claim agreement is a modern treaty which provides Aboriginal groups with a wide range of land and resource rights and benefits. Negotiated agreements provide a defined package of treaty rights and benefits which receive constitutional protection.

Comprehensive land claims negotiations proceed through a series of stages: Framework Agreement; Agreement-in-Principle; Final Agreement and Implementation. In November, 1990 the federal and provincial governments and the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) satisfied the first stage with the signing of a Framework Agreement which set out the process and subjects for negotiation.

The provincial government's objective in negotiating comprehensive land claim agreements is to achieve certain and final settlement of Aboriginal claims to territory within the Province. Certainty as to the ownership of lands and how such lands are to be managed will provide a more stable environment for development and investment. It is government's position that final settlement will be achieved by defining Labrador Inuit rights and benefits in a land claim agreement, in exchange for the release of all Labrador Inuit claims to provincial lands and resources. Settlement of the land claim is necessary to provide for the long term economic and social development of the province, and contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of Labrador Inuit claimants. Negotiations are intended to accommodate the interests of Labrador Inuit, governments and third parties.

Negotiations to reach an Agreement-in-Principle commenced in December 1990 with a plan to complete this stage by the end of 1994. Progress was very slow. In an attempt to accelerate the process, the Province and the LIA agreed to exchange comprehensive proposals in 1993. Although this exchange of proposals did provide the parties with a better understanding of their respective positions on all subjects, it did not result in the desired acceleration of the negotiation process.

The prospect of a major mine development at Voisey's Bay prompted the Parties to again focus on the importance of achieving an Agreement-in-Principle as quickly as possible.

In July, 1996 Premier Brian Tobin, the President of the LIA and the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development agreed to fast-track negotiations. Parties agreed to centralize negotiations in St. John's and work towards a March 31, 1997 target date.

Meetings of senior officials from all three parties were held in Ottawa from Oct. 20-29, 1997. These meetings resulted in a basis for an Agreement-in-Principle, which was ratified by all three parties. From there, the lawyers, financial experts and land claims specialists worked toward a finalized Agreement-in-Principle.

On December 18, 1998, negotiators were able to reach a tentative Agreement-in-Principle. The next step will be for all three parties to review the tentative AIP and give approval for initialling. That is expected early in 1999.

From there, negotiators will embark upon work to reach a Final Agreement. This final stage of land claims negotiations is anticipated to last from 12 to 18 months.

1998 12 18                             11:30 a.m.


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