Editors --- "Redefining Relationships - Digest" [2003] AUIndigLawRpr 50; (2003) 8(3) Australian Indigenous Law Reporter 115

• Redefining Relationships Statement From The Participants At The Redefining Relationships Conference

---

Indigenous Statements - Canada

Redefining Relationships

Statement from the Participants at the Redefining Relationships Conference

Ottawa, Canada

14 November 2003

WHEREAS a Conference on Redefining Relationships was held in Ottawa November 11–14, 2003 with participation of all Aboriginal governments and organizations that have achieved land claims agreements;

WHEREAS the relationships established by land claims agreements and self government agreements are constitutional in nature;

WHEREAS participants at the conference identified common issues and concerns relating to implementation of their land claims agreements and self government agreements; and

WHEREAS we are committed to working together to address these common issues and concerns:

We call upon the Government of Canada to develop a new land claims implementation policy in close consultation with Aboriginal governments and organizations who have achieved land claims agreements.

Key elements of this new policy must include:

Recognition that the Crown in right of Canada, not the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, is party to our land claims agreements and self government agreements.

There must be a federal commitment to achieve the broad objectives of the land claims agreements and self government agreements within the context of the new relationships, as opposed to mere technical compliance with narrowly defined obligations. This must include, but not be limited to, ensuring adequate funding to achieve these objectives and obligations.

Implementation must be handled by appropriate senior level federal officials representing the entire Canadian government.

There must be an independent implementation audit and review body, separate from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. This could be the Auditor General’s department, or a similar office reporting directly to Parliament. Annual reports will be prepared by this office, in consultation with groups with land claims agreements.

Our Aboriginal governments and organizations are committed to working together on common implementation issues. We are committed to working together to help develop and monitor this new policy.

...

Council of Yukon First Nations

Ed Schultz, Grand Chief

Grand Council of the Crees/Eeyou Istcheel/Cree Violet Pachanos Trappers Association

Member

Labrador Inuit Association

William Andersen III, President

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated

Cathy Towtongie, President

Nisga’a Nation

Edmond Wright, Secretary Treasurer

NWT Aboriginal Summit

Edwin Erutse, President Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated