Ontario First Nation leaders support Nishnawbe Aski Nation in their struggle against Bill 191
COO press release
First Nation Leadership Across Ontario Support Nishnawbe Aski Nation in Protecting Their Homelands
August 6, 2009
Toronto, ON – Angus Toulouse, Ontario Regional Chief joined Stan Beardy, Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) at a Rally at Queen’s Park today to condemn the Government of Ontario’s proposed legislation on land-use planning in the Far North, Bill 191: the Far North Act.
Bill 191 is anticipated to set aside 225,000 square kilometres within the NAN Homelands as a protected area which will prohibit specific development projects from moving forward until a land use plan is in place. According to the First Nations’ leadership they have not been properly consulted on the bill, nor does the legislation recognize NAN’s jurisdiction over their traditional territory. “There is nothing more essential and critical for First Nations than controlling their traditional territories and the development that take place on their traditional territories,” stated Ontario Regional Chief Toulouse.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Declaration on Social Progress and Development establishes rights and standards relating to the right of indigenous peoples to control their traditional territories and that a strategy of integrated economic and social development is essential to ensure respect for basic human rights and to ensure that communities and individuals are not harmed by indiscriminate economic development. “Clearly, the indigenous peoples that inhabit the Far North and have Treaty and human rights regarding the control and development of such territory are entirely justified in seeking more favourable legislation,” said Chief Toulouse.
Regional Chief Toulouse further emphasised that, “Ontario has international obligations to ensure that the legislative process is inclusive and respectful of the rights of indigenous peoples to be consulted and accommodated in accordance with international standards and emerging common law standards in Canada.”
The leadership of Nishnawbe Aski Nation are prepared to enter into a fresh dialogue with the Government of Ontario on land use planning, without an artificial deadline, on the condition that Bill 191 is withdrawn. “I can assure the Government of Ontario that all First Nations in Ontario are supportive of the aspirations of the leadership of Nishnawbe Aski Nation to ensure they are dealt with in a manner that respects a government to government relationship” said Regional Chief Toulouse.
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For more information please contact:
Penny Jacko-Copenace
Ph: 416-452-2474