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from http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/prs/j-a2006/2-02714_e.html

News Release   Communiqué  2-02714

ONTARIO FIRST NATIONS TO SEE MORE BENEFITS FROM TRAPPING

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO (April 10, 2006) - First Nations in Ontario will now receive increased benefits from trapping activities in their traditional territories following agreements signed with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.

Today, the Anishinabek Nation, Grand Council Treaty No. 3 and Nishnawbe Aski Nation announced the signing of trapping harmonization agreements with the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Jim Prentice, said the agreement "presents an excellent opportunity to work together through co-operative dialogue to strengthen relationships, and to build a better future for First Nations people."

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage described the agreement as "key to maintaining good working relationships with our partners in order to uphold mutual values of conservation as joint stewards of Mother Earth."

Grand Council Treaty No. 3 Ogichidaa Arnold Gardner said, "This step towards a renewed relationship based on the laws of Canada and the inherent laws of the Anishinaabe will promote better relations for the next generations of our diverse cultures."

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy called the agreement "the starting point in managing our renewable resources, creating a partnership with both levels of government so that we can continue to resolve conflicting policies and laws affecting the lives of the people in our territory."

"These agreements are good examples of how Ontario is promoting more effective relationships between First Nations, Canada and Ontario, and reflect our government's commitment to strong, prosperous Aboriginal communities," said Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, the Honourable David Ramsay.
The trapping harmonization agreements will allow these First Nations organizations to:
* issue trapping licences to members;
* address the current royalties system from the sale of furs;
* provide training to individuals who want to qualify for first-time trapping licences; and
* administer trap-line allocations in traditional territories.

Negotiations with the Government of Ontario dealing with the management and administration of trapping within traditional territories have been under way since 1993 (in the case of Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Grand Council Treaty #3) and 1998 (in the case of the Anishinabek Nation).  More information about the history of the negotiations can be found in the attached Backgrounder, "Ontario Trapping Harmonization Agreements."

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provided funding for negotiations and implementation of the trapping harmonization agreements, as well as technical support and information. 

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This release is also available at:http://www.inac.gc.ca .

For further information, please contact:

Tony Prudori
Acting Senior Information Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(807) 624-1535

Steve Payne
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Communications Services Branch
(416)-314-2103
  Maurice Switzer
Director of Communications
Union of Ontario Indians
(705) 497-9127, Ext.2272

Adolphus Cameron
Grand Council Treaty #3
(807) 548-4214

Jenna Young
Director of Communications
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625-4952
*---

Backgrounder
ONTARIO TRAPPING HARMONIZATION AGREEMENTS

Aboriginal people were involved in fur trading activities long before the first Europeans arrived on this continent. Furs were a source of clothing, shelter and ornaments.  Fur trading activities contributed to the development of Aboriginal communities. 

Upon the arrival of the explorers, beaver pelts were the first item to be traded in exchange for cooking pots and ornamental items. As the industry grew, fur trading companies were formed and took advantage of the abundance of furs available.  As trapping and fur trading activities expanded, conservation measures were undertaken in Ontario in the late 1800s, but there were no mechanisms in place to enforce these efforts.

In 1993, during tripartite meetings with the Government of Ontario, held through the Indian Commission of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Grand Council Treaty #3, both First Nations Organizations began negotiating the takeover, management, and administration of trapping within their own territories.  The Anishinabek Nation, represented by the Union of Ontario Indians, began similar negotiations in 1998.  Each of the three Provincial-Territorial Organizations, with the assistance of the Indian Commission of Ontario, conducted separate discussions with the Province of Ontario (Ministry of Natural Resources).  In 1998, former Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Honourable Ron Irwin advised that Canada would also be a party to the agreements.

Funding for the negotiations was provided through a program known as the Participation Fund, which consisted of funding from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Government of Ontario, and First Nations.  The Participation Fund was administered by the Indian Commission of Ontario.

The agreements, one for each of the three provincial/territorial organizations, were signed by the signatories in April and May 2005, and are effective as of April 1, 2005