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
July 19, 2006
Last week Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice spoke to the Annual General Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations in Vancouver.
Mr. Prentice said a number of things with which we agree.
Mr. Prentice said "… to make stronger First Nations and improve quality of life, we must promote self-sufficiency because any community– whether Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal –that relies solely on government support is sure to struggle. And to make progress, we must have the courage to change current structures and the perseverance to finish the job."
Mr. Prentice said "Settlements are about justice, respect and reconciliation. Negotiated settlements are not only about coming to terms with the past, but also about building a better future. Each settlement clears a path to strengthened governance, to new economic and social opportunities and, as you know, settlements can bring harmony between First Nations communities and their neighbors."
Mr. Prentice pledged "to be supportive of the settlement of claims more expeditiously so that we can move forward with improved economic conditions."
It will be interesting to see if Mr. Prentice will back up these words by "expeditiously" "building a better future" and "hav[ing] the courage … and the perseverance to finish the job" of settling Lubicon land rights.
fol-request at masses.tao.ca