November 24, 1999
(Executive Council)
Province, federal government,
Innu Nation outline interim steps to address issues confronting Innu
communities
The following statement was
issued today following a meeting between Premier Brian Tobin; Robert Nault,
federal minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development; and Peter
Penashue, President of the Innu Nation to discuss First Nations Equivalency
for the Labrador Innu and other related matters:
Today, the Innu Nation, Canada
and Newfoundland and Labrador reached agreement in principle on next steps
to provide the Innu of Labrador with the tools necessary to address the
issues confronting their communities.
Peter Penashue, president of the
Innu Nation, Chief Paul Rich of Sheshatshui, Chief Mark Nui of the Mushuau
Innu, Premier Brian Tobin, and federal Indian Affairs and Northern
Development Minister Robert Nault committed to pursuing the following
interim steps, to be taken pending the conclusion of an Innu land claim and
self-government agreement.
1. The province will
facilitate the transfer of the land occupied by the communities of
Sheshatshiu and Natuashish to Canada. Canada will then make this land
available to the Innu. These lands will eventually form part of the
settlement of the Innu land claim.
2. Canada will cover the costs
of Innu educational programs. Canada and the province will work together
with the Innu to transfer control for these programs to the Innu.
3. The parties will conclude
an agreement on aboriginal policing as soon as possible. The province will
use the savings it realizes from current education costs for aboriginal
policing. Any additional savings will be invested in community priorities
to be agreed upon by the parties.
4. The parties will work to
put in place the necessary legal arrangements for Innu governance to give
effect to these arrangements.
5. Indian and Northern Affairs
Canada will establish an office in Labrador, whose role will include
working with the Innu to assist them in taking on these responsibilities.
6. All parties reaffirm their
commitment to the expeditious conclusion of an Innu land claim and
self-government agreement.
Media contact:
Heidi Bonnell
Office of the Premier
(709) 729-3564
Kelly Acton
Department of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development
(819) 997-0002
Innu Nation
(709) 497-8398
1999 11 24
4:15 p.m.
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