NLIS 7
November 28, 2005
(Executive Council)
(Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs)
NOTE TO EDITORS: Nunatsiavut
Government comes into effect December 1, 2005 in Nain
With the inauguration of Nunatsiavut Government, December 1, 2005
will be a defining moment in Labrador Inuits� 30-year-long journey
towards self-government. This effective date marks the transition of
the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement (LILCA) into a legal and
Constitutional reality.
There will be a day of ceremony and performance in Nain. Officials,
youth and elders from the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) will join
with Premier Danny Williams; Tom Rideout Deputy Premier and Minister
responsible for Aboriginal Affairs; Tom Osborne, Minister of
Environment and Conservation; Paul Shelley, Minister responsible for
Labrador Affairs; and leaders from other Inuit territories and
organizations for a day of ceremony, performance and community
feasts. Other special guests will include the mayors of Labrador
Inuit towns, past presidents and past vice presidents of the LIA,
representatives of Parks Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs
Canada, the RCMP, other Aboriginal leaders, and representatives from
the federal and provincial governments.
While the main ceremony is in taking place in Nain, community
celebrations will occur simultaneously in the Inuit communities of
Hopedale, Postville, Rigolet and Makkovik as well as among Inuit in
Happy Valley-Goose Bay and other communities.
Members of the media are invited to attend.
Travel logistics are being coordinated with Lori Lee Oates of the
Department of Aboriginal Affairs; or by contacting Provincial
Airlines or Air Labrador. There are a limited number of seats
available on the provincial charter, and any interested media
representatives will be accommodated on a first-come, first-serve
basis.
Date: Thursday, December 1, 2005
Time: 9:30 a.m., with ceremony beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Atlantic
Time)
Place: Jens Haven School, Nain
Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the
Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500
Lori Lee Oates, Aboriginal Affairs, (709) 729-3733, 690-8403
Marilyn Butland, Perry and Butland Communications, (709)
753-2123, 922-2941,
727-3171
2005 11 28
3:50 p.m. |