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November 27, 1997
(Executive Council)

Premier gives land claims update

Land claim negotiations which resumed in St. John's this week are going well, Premier Tobin said today. Senior officials of the Labrador Inuit Association, the federal government and the province began meetings on Monday, November 24, and are hard at work, building on the principles of the negotiators' text which the premier unveiled on November 5, 1997.

"Our negotiators report that the current talks are positive and productive," said the premier. "This demonstrates a clear commitment, by all parties, to achieve agreement. Their first task is to finalize the self-government details, and from there they will turn their attention to land and resource issues."

The LIA claim has been ongoing for 20 years, but in recent months, much progress has been made. Negotiations began in 1989. A framework agreement was signed in 1991, and comprehensive proposals were exchanged in 1993. Fast-track negotiations began in September 1996.

Senior officials met in Ottawa last month to hammer out details on several important issues.

"I am optimistic that there will be continued commitment and goodwill," said Premier Tobin, "and we will achieve an Agreement-in-Principle early in the new year. This AIP will be a unique agreement, suited to the circumstances of Newfoundland and Labrador, and will truly be an agreement for the 21st century."

Negotiations with the Innu Nation are also continuing. On November 5, the premier and Innu Nation President Katie Rich agreed that it was important to accelerate the Innu claim as well.

"I am pleased to say that we are discussing the appropriate means for doing just that," said the premier. "In fact, the Secretary to Cabinet for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs was in Davis Inlet yesterday to meet with Katie Rich to further discuss a framework for fast tracking negotiations."

Contact: Heidi Bonnell, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3564.