Friends of the Lubicon
PO Box 444 Stn D,
Etobicoke ON M9A 4X4
Tel: (416) 763-7500
Email: fol (at) tao (dot) ca
www.lubicon.ca
June 20, 2006
Yesterday the New Democratic Party Critic for Aboriginal Affairs, Jean Crowder, made a statement in the Canadian Parliament regarding the plight of Aboriginal peoples in Canada with specific reference to recent United Nations conclusions. She raised the Lubicon issue and read the UN’s concluding observations into the record.
Ms. Crowder said:
… I am bringing up land claims in this context because treaties, comprehensive land claims and specific land claims are all part of paving the way for first nations communities to move forward, paving the way for first nations communities to have meaningful economic development, and paving the way for first nations communities to actually be able to take charge of some of the infrastructure programs and the educational aspects that are very important in that economic survival and the community.
"I am going to come back to the United Nations report that I was quoting from earlier because it made a couple of recommendations that tie directly to this. Recommendation 37 states:
The Committee urges the State party to re-examine its policies and practices towards the inherent rights and titles of Aboriginal peoples to ensure that policies and practices do not result in extinguishment of those rights and titles.
Recommendation 38 states:
The Committee strongly recommends that the State party resume negotiations with the Lubicon Lake Band, with a view to finding a solution to the claims of the Band that ensures the enjoyment of their rights under the Covenant. The Committee also strongly recommends the State party to conduct effective consultation with the Band prior to the grant of licences for economic purposes in the disputed land, and to ensure that such activities do not jeopardize the rights recognized under the Covenant.
I specifically quoted the recommendation on the Lubicon Lake Band because I think it is a microcosm of a fact that many first nations communities are faced with. Because they cannot get adequate treaties or comprehensive land claims or specific land claims, they are unable to move forward with the economic development that is so critical to their survival and well-being."
We need more politicians like Ms. Crowder who are willing to raise the Lubicon issue at every opportunity. It’s important that the government be continually reminded of its obligation to settle this long-outstanding human rights issue.
The full text of Ms. Crowder’s statement can be found here.
fol-request at masses.tao.ca