Tuesday July 29, 2014 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THUNDER BAY: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Harvey Yesno reaffirmed NAN First Nations’ determination to defend our lands following a Notice of Assertions of First Nations Inherent and Treaty Rights announced by First Nations leaders at Queen’s Park today.
“Proposed resource development is putting tremendous pressure on our lands and First Nations are facing unprecedented challenges and threats to our inherent and Treaty rights,” said Grand Chief Harvey Yesno. “Many communities are struggling to address basic issues such as access to health care, housing, education and economic development. NAN Chiefs have made it clear that we, the people of the land, will defend our right to control development in our territories so that the wealth from our lands continues to benefit and sustain our people and our Nation.”
The Notice of Assertions was adopted by Chiefs at the 40th All Ontario Chiefs Conference last month. It gives notice to all levels of government, industry and the public that First Nations will continue to assert their Inherent and Treaty Rights in traditional territories, and that natural resources remain within First Nation inherent jurisdiction and will be governed accordingly.
“While the governments of Canada and Ontario continue to ignore the spirit and intent of our Treaties, NAN will continue to pursue resource development opportunities with foreign investors and will enter into agreements that respect our rights and bring sustainable, long-term benefits to our communities,” said Yesno.“Far too many of our people have been lost, and no longer will our children continue to suffer under third-world living conditions while governments and industry prosper from the exploitation of our territories. Defending our land will be a legacy to preserve future generations’ fight for justice.”
Recent decisions by the Supreme Court of Canada have sent a strong message that the Crown, as represented by the Government of Canada, must recognize and respect Aboriginal title and deal honourably with First Nations. The principles laid out by these decisions support First Nation rights to control development in our traditional territories and must be respected by industry and all levels of government.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty No. 5 – an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario in Canada.
For more information please contact: Michael Heintzman, Director of Communications – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (807) 625-4965 or cell (807) 621-2790 or by email mheintzman@nan.on.ca