First Nations Leaders
Demand Inclusion in Great Lakes Watershed Discussions
July 15, 2005
Two of Ontario's most prominent First Nations
leaders jointly issued a demand to the Minister of Natural
Resources calling for the inclusion of First Nations in any
discussions regarding the Great Lakes watershed.
Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, of the
Union of Ontario Indians (UOI)--and Grand Chief Denise
Stonefish, of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI)
sent a letter to Minister David Ramsay strongly objecting to
First Nation exclusion from the Great Lakes Charter Annex, a
process involving Ontario, Quebec and the eight Great Lake
states designed to manage the waters of the Great Lakes Basin.
These various jurisdictions are involved in a
60-day public comment period reviewing the Annex Implementation
Agreement, a multi-lateral document that will implement the
Great Lakes Charter, Annex 2001.
"There is a need for the MNR as
representatives of the Crown to consult First Nations people and
provide resources so we might jointly develop a consultation
process," said Chief Beaucage standing outside the site of one
of a series of Great Lakes Annex information sessions.
"Last year, the Supreme Court defined a
constitutional order, in which the Crown is required to
negotiate with First Nations in a way that recognizes and
accommodates First Nations rights," said Grand Chief Denise
Stonefish. "We expect the Crown to fulfill their obligation and
duty to consult."
First Nations leaders gathered on the front
steps at Metro Hall, in defiance of a public consultation forum
that was taking place inside. These two organizations are
calling for: A jointly developed consultation process; Funding
and resources for that process; and sufficient time to fully
participate in the said consultation.
Two weeks ago, the Union of Ontario Indians
served notice that they will be asserting Title and jurisdiction
over the Great Lakes basin. In a June 29th resolution, First
Nations Chiefs authorized their leadership to take "whatever
political or legal action is required to protect rights and
jurisdiction over the waters of the Great Lakes Basin."
That particular resolution was affirmed by the
Assembly of First Nation (AFN) at their annual General Assembly
last week in Yellowknife.
The province of Ontario and the U.S. States
bordering the Great Lakes have been negotiating an
Implementation Agreement with respect to the Great Lakes Charter
Annex 2001, a regime to determine such issues as the diversion
of Great Lakes water. The Governors and Premiers of Great Lakes
states and provinces released the latest draft of the Annex
Implementation Agreement June 30 for a 60-day public review.
"This is much more than a jurisdictional
dispute. Anishinabek tradition gives our women responsibility as
caretakers of the water, and they are telling us it is time to
act to prevent furthering poisoning of our rivers and lakes that
has been permitted by federal, provincial and state
governments," added Grand Council Chief Beaucage.
The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member
First Nations across Ontario. The Association of Iroquois and
Allied Indian represents 8 First Nations throughout Ontario.
predominantly in Southern Ontario. These two organizations
represent the majority of First Nation jurisdiction in the Great
Lakes basin.
Source:
Anishinabek Nation July 15, 2005 |