A number of treaty chiefs from Saskatchewan and Alberta have sent letters to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stating their opposition to Canada’s proposed Indigenous rights recognition and implementation framework.
“The First Nations have made it known publicly and in writing that Canada’s aggressive agenda to expedite plans to create legislation designed to deny our rights to lands and resources have been done all without our free prior and informed consent (FPIC), Ermineskin Cree Nation Chief Craig Makinaw says in a released statement. “This does not bring honour to the Crown.”
The letters are a response to Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett’s public message which states that there are no plans to stop the framework legislation.
“Our sacred treaty matters were not addressed,” Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Henry Lewis says. “The minister in July of 2018 sent out a form letter that completely mischaracterized the process and did not include one word on the treaty issues raised in our letter. Onion Lake was not the only nation to send a letter against the process. Canada has chosen to ignore those letters resorting to fabrications.”
The chiefs say the results from a rushed engagement period for the framework process were not shared with First Nations.
“In light of the deteriorating situation in Canada, the treaty peoples have tried many ways to open a dialogue with Canada,” Saddle Lake Cree Nation Chief Eddy Makokism says. “We have written letters and provided materials to Canada without any formal response. For the sake of our peoples’ and our children’s children, we must collectively find a path to advance and implement the treaty made with the British Crown.”
“The framework is in direct conflict with our treaty, inherent rights and title,” Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation Chief Tony Alexis adds. “The process does not recognize nor respect our jurisdiction.”
(PHOTO: Treaty 6 medal. File photo.)