A new era for the Labrador Inuit

(Ottawa) - The Government of Canada, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) today announced that the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement will take effect on December 1, 2005.

Many changes will be triggered by the effective date. Most importantly, the Nunatsiavut Government will come into being, signalling the beginning of a new governing structure for the Labrador Inuit and for Labrador Inuit Lands.

The coming into effect of the agreement will mark a new era in Labrador. The agreement sets out a new regime for land ownership, resource sharing and self-government, including Inuit ownership of 15,800 square kilometres of land to be know as Labrador Inuit Lands. Those wishing to access Labrador Inuit Lands for harvesting purposes, or for exploration will need to be aware of the new systems in place to do so.

As well, the date will mark the formal establishment under the Canada National Parks Act of the Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve of Canada, consisting of approximately 9,600 square kilometres.

�Labrador Inuit have waited a long time for this day, for close to 30 years of negotiations, and many years more to set our own destiny,� said William Andersen III, President of the Labrador Inuit Association. "The Nunatsiavut Government will continue to operate under many of the systems of Newfoundland and Labrador, and of Canada, in areas such as health, justice and education. But we will establish our own ways within those systems. Our language and culture will be added to our school curriculum. Our own people will become teachers, healthcare workers, administrators and decision-makers. We will set guidelines and limits for hunting, fishing, mining and harvesting of our resources. We will always welcome and look for other people to come work with us, to do business with us and to live in our land.�

�I am proud to see a dream realized for the Inuit of Labrador,� said Premier Danny Williams. �December 1 will be a historic day as officially Labrador Inuit will have control of their own destiny. From that day forward those who wish to do business on Labrador Inuit Lands must first deal with the Nunatsiavut Government. This will provide the Inuit a further opportunity to grow and prosper and provide a bright future with autonomy and hope for the future.�

�I congratulate the LIA on the momentous day that will forever change the face of Labrador and our province. Having this land claim agreement come into effect will give the Labrador Inuit more control over their own affairs. It will also have an impact on people and businesses throughout Labrador. I encourage all of those who may be impacted to become informed on what this agreement will mean for them,� said Tom Rideout, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

�This agreement that will take effect on December 1 will mark a new era in Labrador and the promise of a brighter future for Labrador Inuit and all Labrador residents,� said Labrador MP Todd Russell. �It is also evidence that the Government of Canada is committed to settling outstanding land claims for the benefit of Aboriginal people and all Canadians.�

�This is a proud occasion not only for the Labrador Inuit and residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, but also the people of Canada,� said Andy Scott, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. �The Labrador Inuit will have the tools they need to continue to build a healthy community and strong economy, while the region will benefit from a more stable environment.�

The agreement was signed by the Labrador Inuit Association, Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada on January 22, 2005.

Media contact:

Marilyn Butland, Communications Consultant
Labrador Inuit Association
(709) 753-0794

Elizabeth Matthews, Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-3960, 690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

Lori Lee Oates, Director of Communications
Aboriginal Affairs
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-3015, 690-8403

Diane Laursen, Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 953-1160

Backgrounder
Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement
How will the general public be impacted?

The Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement will bring new rights and responsibilities governments and people living and working in the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area. The biggest impacts will be in the area known as Labrador Inuit Lands, where the Nunatsiavut Government will exercise most of its powers. The Nunatsiavut Government is a new Inuit government provided for under the agreement.

The following information outlines how you may be affected by the agreement.

Leases, Licences, etc.

Labrador Inuit Lands

• Administration of existing leases and licences will be transferred to the Nunatsiavut Government.
• Lease/licence holders continue to hold their interest in accordance with their current terms and conditions. However, the title must be in good standing.
• Lease/licence holders may access their properties using the current means and route, without requesting the consent of the Nunatsiavut Government or paying any fees.
• Applications for renewals must be made to the Nunatsiavut Government, which may impose additional reasonable fees and conditions.
• New leases and licences will be available from the Nunatsiavut Government only.

Settlement Area

• Leases and licences within the Settlement Area, outside Labrador Inuit Lands, will not be affected and will continue to be issued by the province.

Properties within the Five Inuit Communities

• Until the election of the first Inuit community governments, which is expected by September 2006, applications for leases or licences on Crown land within the Inuit communities should continue to be directed to the town council. The town will continue to make recommendations to the province on such applications. Leases and licences will continue to be issued by the province. Renewals will also be issued by the province.
• After election of the Inuit community governments, Crown land will be transferred to the Inuit community governments, and applications for renewal or any new applications for land must be made to the Inuit community governments.
• Crown land lease or licence holders may continue to hold their interest according to their terms and conditions, provided the title is in good standing.
• Application for renewal must be made to the appropriate Inuit community government, which may impose additional reasonable terms and conditions upon renewal.

Private Lands

• Existing private land holders are not affected anywhere in the Settlement Area, including Labrador Inuit Lands, and within the five Inuit communities.
• As of December 1, 2005, the province can no longer accept requests for grants to sites within Labrador Inuit Lands.

Recreational Hunting, Fishing, etc.

• The areement contains specific provisions for Inuit and non-Inuit resource harvesting including hunting, fishing, trapping, cutting firewood and berry picking within the Settlement Area.
• Inuit have the right to harvest for food, social and ceremonial purposes throughout the Settlement Area.
• If conservation requires that resource harvesting be limited, Inuit will have priority rights. All harvesting by non-Inuit must be closed before there are any reductions to Inuit harvesting.

Labrador Inuit Lands

• Non-Inuit who wish to harvest on Labrador Inuit Lands, including fishing in inland waters, will need permission from the Nunatsiavut Government.
• Special provisions have been made for existing outfitters and commercial forestry operations, non-Inuit long-term residents of Inuit communities, non-Inuit with existing cabins in Labrador Inuit Lands, and non-Inuit with existing trapping licences (see Chapters 4 and 12 of the agreement for detailed criteria).
• Non-Inuit Labradorians fishing in tidal waters for non-commercial purposes may establish temporary camps and cut firewood for the camps along the shoreline.

Settlement Area

• Outside Labrador Inuit Lands, non-Inuit can harvest in accordance with provincial and federal regulations.

Everyone can continue to fish, including ice fishing, in marine waters in accordance with federal regulations.

Access to Labrador Inuit Lands

• Non-Inuit not specifically accommodated under the agreement must acquire the consent of the Nunatsiavut Government and pay any applicable fess prior to entering Labrador Inuit Lands.
• consent or payment of fees is not required in the case of emergency or when exercising the right of navigation.

Access provisions, waiving consent or payment of fees, for special interests include:

Casual, recreational access

• Non-Inuit may cross Labrador Inuit Lands using standard routes to reach other lands for purposes such as recreational snowmobiling, canoeing and hiking.

Freehold title, lease, licence or subsurface interest holders on December 1, 2005

• Non-Inuit may cross Labrador Inuit Lands to reach their property by using their traditional means and route of access.

Government officials and public utilities

• Persons carrying out duties as government officials or public utility functions may carry out these duties.

Provincial Social Programs

The province will continue to provide services in the Inuit communities such as schools, clinics, income support, social housing and justice programs. In future, agreements may be reached whereby the Nunatsiavut Government will deliver programs currently delivered by the province.


The information provided above is a summary of how the general public may be affected by the Agreement. Please refer to the Agreement for details. An electronic copy is available at the following Web sites:
//www.nunatsiavut.com/en/agreement.php
www.gov.nl.ca/laa/liaclaims
//www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/agr/labi/index_e.html
//www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/agr/labi/index_f.html (French)

Backgrounder
Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement
How will business and industry be impacted?

The Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement will bring clarity to land ownership and the management of natural resources in northern Labrador. The agreement will also create a stable environment for development.

The agreement will bring new responsibilities for governments, business and industry in the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area. The biggest impacts will be in the area known as Labrador Inuit Lands, where the Nunatsiavut Government will exercise most of its powers.

Inuit will continue to pay taxes, including Harmonized Sales Tax.

The following information outlines how major business and industry stakeholders may be affected by the agreement.

Mineral Industry
The province will continue to administer mining and mineral exploration throughout the Settlement Area, including Labrador Inuit Lands. The following also applies in Labrador Inuit Lands:

• Existing authorized exploration and quarrying will continue under provincial regulation and must use the means and route of access in effect on December 1, 2005.
• Any amendments or extensions to existing exploration or quarrying operations must receive joint approval from the province and the Nunatsiavut Government.
• With the exception of operations in quarry material lands owned by the Nunatsiavut Government, all new operations must prepare a work plan which complies with joint exploration and quarrying standards developed by the province and the Nunatsiavut Government, to be approved by both governments.
• Companies initiating exploration or quarrying after December 1, 2005 are subject to access conditions and fees required by the Nunatsiavut Government.
• Inuit will own 3,950 square kilometres of quarry materials within Labrador Inuit Lands for which the Nunatsiavut Government will issue permits.
• With the exception of these quarry material lands owned by Inuit, Impact and Benefits Agreements will not be required for quarry developments.

Commercial Fishing

• Existing commercial licences are not affected.
• Inuit will receive a percentage of new commercial harvesting licences.
• Inuit will receive 70 per cent of any new processing licences in the Settlement Area, and the Nunatsiavut Government will have the right of first refusal if the province decides to sell or decommission any existing fish plants in the Settlement Area.

Outfitters

• Existing outfitting operations in the Settlement Area, including Labrador Inuit Lands, can continue according to their current terms and conditions.
• Existing outfitters on LIL will continue to have access to Labrador Inuit Lands for harvesting.
• The province, following consultation with outfitters and the new joint Wildlife Board, will establish wildlife allocations based on current levels for all existing operations.
• Inuit will have the first option to buy operations that may be put up for sale, and first right to establish new operations in the Settlement Area, outside Labrador Inuit Lands.
• Currently employed outfitting guides are not affected, but vacant guide positions throughout the Settlement Area must be filled with qualified Inuit candidates if they are available.

Labrador Inuit Lands

• Applications for land lease/licence renewals and new operations must be made to the Nunatsiavut Government.

Settlement Area

• Applications for land lease/licence renewals and new operations outside Labrador Inuit Lands must be made to the province.

Commercial Forestry

Labrador Inuit Lands

• Existing commercial forestry operations will continue in accordance with current terms, while fees are to be submitted to the Nunatsiavut Government.
• Nunatsiavut Government will authorize new operations and set fees for such operations.

Settlement Area

• Outside Labrador Inuit Lands, existing commercial forestry operations are not affected.
• Inuit have the first option to establish new commercial forestry operations.

Archaeology

Labrador Inuit Lands and within Inuit Communities

• Permits for Labrador Inuit Lands and Inuit communities must be obtained from the Nunatsiavut Government.

Settlement Area

• Outside Labrador Inuit Lands and the five Inuit communities, permits will continue to be obtained from the province, except for the Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve and other lands under federal control, which will be administered by the federal government.

Archaeologists will be required to conduct community briefings in the Inuit community closest to their work site.

New Commercial and Industrial Developments

• The province will approve and issue land titles for all developments in the Settlement Area, outside Labrador Inuit Lands.
• For any large scale development in the Settlement Area, outside Labrador Inuit Lands, the proponent must negotiate an Impacts and Benefits Agreement (IBA) with the Nunatsiavut Government.
• The Nunatsiavut Government will approve developments on Labrador Inuit Lands, which must include an IBA.
• IBAs are not required for quarries on Labrador Inuit Lands, with the exception of operations on the 3,950 kilometres of quarry material lands owned by Inuit.

IBAs are negotiated to enhance Inuit opportunities for training, employment, joint ventures and/or to provide special environmental protection. However, IBAs cannot restrict opportunities only to Inuit, nor can they place an unreasonable financial burden on the developer.

Environmental Assessment

• Federal and provincial environmental assessment legislation will still apply in the Settlement Area, including Labrador Inuit Lands.
• The Nunatsiavut Government may make additional laws regarding environmental assessment within Labrador Inuit Lands.
• Every effort will be made to ensure environmental assessment processes are harmonized to avoid duplication and inefficiencies.

The information provided above is a summary of how the general public may be affected by the Agreement. Please refer to the Agreement for details. An electronic copy is available at the following Web sites:
//www.nunatsiavut.com/en/agreement.php
www.gov.nl.ca/laa/liaclaims
//www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/agr/labi/index_e.html
//www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/agr/labi/index_f.html (French)

2005 11 24                                  5:15 p.m.