Executive Council
Natural Resources
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
July 1, 2011

Provincial Government Applauds Acceptance of
Tshash Petapen (New Dawn) Agreements

Acceptance of the New Dawn Agreements by the Labrador Innu Nation will introduce tremendous benefits to the Innu people of Labrador, and represents a major step forward for the development of Muskrat Falls, said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The ratification is a proud moment in our province’s history, and a wonderful achievement which will bring new opportunities to the Labrador Innu,” said Premier Dunderdale. “Our government’s partnership with the Innu Nation has been a successful one and we will continue to work together to ensure that the interests of the Innu are respected. Muskrat Falls is an exciting development for the province and with this ratification, important benefits are secured for the Innu.”

“The positive vote is an important step in support of the development of the Lower Churchill,” said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Natural Resources. “The Lower Churchill Impacts and Benefits Agreement provides significant benefits to the Innu Nation, and ensures that the Labrador Innu will have priority for employment and business opportunities associated with the development.”

The New Dawn Agreement includes three elements: the Upper Churchill Redress Agreement, the land claims agreement-in-principle, and the Lower Churchill Impacts and Benefits Agreement (IBA). The Upper Churchill Redress Agreement will provide compensation to the Labrador Innu for impacts associated with the Upper Churchill Falls development, and settles the outstanding grievances of the Innu Nation with respect to damages suffered to Innu lands and properties as a result of the flooding caused by this development in the 1960s. Key elements of the IBA include a structured royalty regime and implementation funding to support the Innu Nation’s involvement in the project during construction.

“I congratulate the Innu people and welcome their endorsement of these agreements,” said the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “I also acknowledge the dedicated efforts of the negotiators who worked hard to achieve the terms. This successful ratification vote is a reflection of what is a fair and honourable settlement for the Innu.”

The land claims agreement-in-principle is a non-binding agreement that will form the basis for negotiating a final land claims agreement or treaty. Upon signing it will be released to the public. It will define Innu treaty rights and where those rights will apply in Labrador.

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Media contacts:

Glenda Power Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 glendapower@gov.nl.ca	Milly Brown Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 631-8477 millybrown@gov.nl.ca
Heather Maclean Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca	John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs 709-729-1674, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2011 07 01             8:00 a.m.