Latest news with #TreatyRights
National Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Proposed fast-tracking of national projects 'serious threat' to treaty rights: AFN Chief
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney's legislation to fast-track projects deemed in the national interest is expected to be tabled in the House of Commons in a matter of days but is already facing some resistance from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). Article content Article content In a letter to Carney dated May 30 obtained by the National Post, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak wrote that the proposed bill, in its current form, 'suggests a serious threat to First Nations exercise of Treaty rights, inherent rights, title and jurisdiction.' Article content Woodhouse Nepinak insisted First Nations' 'free, prior and informed consent' must be obtained before any major infrastructure and energy projects move ahead. Article content Article content 'Otherwise, this legislation like so many before it, will become marred in conflict and protracted litigation, because First Nations rights have once again been ignored,' she wrote in an apparent warning to the newly-elected prime minister. Article content Woodhouse Nepinak was asked to weigh in on the proposed legislation by senior officials of the Privy Council Office (PCO) who sent her a letter dated May 23. Article content 'Now more than ever, the future of Canada's economy depends on a collaborative and coordinated approach among federal, provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments,' wrote Christiane Fox, deputy clerk, and Mollie Johnson, deputy secretary to the cabinet. Article content Carney held a first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon on Monday to discuss plans to knock down trade barriers and fast-track national projects. He also met with oil and gas executives, as well as Indigenous leaders, over the weekend about those plans. Article content Article content Fox and Johnson said the 'One Canadian Economy' legislation is expected to be tabled in early June. It will not only include a framework to remove federal barriers to internal trade but provide faster regulatory approval for projects through a new office for major projects. Article content According to last week's speech from the throne, the government expects the time needed to approve projects to be reduced from five years to two through the creation of this new office, all while upholding Canada's 'constitutional obligations to Indigenous peoples.' Article content The government also vowed to strike co-operation agreements 'with every interested province and territory within six months to realize its goal of 'one project, one review.''
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Lennox Island First Nation claims DFO seized lobster traps and violated Treaty rights
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) allegedly seized lobster traps deployed by the Lennox Island First Nation on Prince Edward Island that are protected by the First Nation's Treaty Protected Fishery, said representatives from Lennox Island in a news release. 'This is a constitutional Treaty right – not a privilege, not a negotiation, and not something Canada gets to control,' said Chief Darlene Bernard. 'Our Treaty Protected Fishery follows a community-developed plan that aligns with conservation priorities and voluntarily mirrors DFO regulations.' Bernard said DFO's actions are a violation of their rights. 'It is a modest fishery that we launched on principle and it has run successfully and safely for three years now.' DFO granted Lennox Island First Nation a one-time authorization of up to 1,000 lobster traps in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 24 under the Treaty-protected fishery in spring 2025. 'Fishing found in contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations, and/or without a license or authorization issued by the Department, may be subject to enforcement action,' said DFO in an email to CTV. The fishery was proceeding with the same number of traps as last season, said the release from Lennox Island. They said they have engaged with DFO in good faith and followed regulations. 'This is about more than traps or lobster – this is about our right to self-determination, economic justice, and the survival of our way of life,' said Chief Bernard. 'We are not backing down. Our fishers are out there with the full support of our Nation and our ancestors behind them.' Chief Bernard demanded the return of the seized fishing gear and an end to DFO's enforcement campaign. 'On one hand, it recognizes our Treaty right; on the other, it seizes our traps when we exercise that right,' said Bernard. DFO said authorized community members in Lennox Island are required to meet licence conditions including the use of DFO tags. They said the situation at Malpeque and Alberton, P.E.I. is under investigation and no further details are available at this time. Lobsters For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
National Post
10-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Chief Raymond Powder: What Indigenous reconciliation can teach Albertan separatists
Last Saturday, a large crowd of people rallied for Alberta's independence in front of the legislature in Edmonton. Disappointed that the federal election didn't deliver their preferred result, many in the group felt a boost when the government of Alberta introduced Bill 54, which will lower the threshold for citizens to trigger a referendum. But that bill has also stirred up anger with another group: Indigenous peoples across the province. Article content Article content Article content Several First Nations leaders across Alberta have argued the law blatantly disregards Treaty rights. Many in our communities, including in my home Nation of Fort McKay, are outraged and emotional — and understandably so. But today I invite all frustrated Albertans to consider wisdom drawn from the path towards reconciliation. Article content Article content Anger and alienation towards the government is a feeling that's all too familiar for Indigenous peoples. The failed extermination of Indigenous cultures, languages and traditions fuelled those exact emotions, and far worse, for generations. Those sentiments have run deep, and have been an unfortunate fact of life with roots dating back before Canada's Confederation. Article content But despite having more reasons than anyone to be bitter and resentful, Indigenous peoples are overwhelmingly rejecting separatism. We respect the Treaty relationship we made with the Crown. At times we have had to fight in the courts and negotiate hard to enforce the Treaties, but we have not walked away from the Treaty relationship. Thanks to that determination, some Indigenous people of today's generation are starting to see results — tangible improvements to their lives that are directly tied to our demand to be treated with the dignity and respect called for under our treaties with the Crown. But progress is uneven. Article content In truth, we are only on the first few steps of the road towards reconciliation. For Fort McKay First Nation, that has included making strides on economic reconciliation. After decades of work, today we are both a strong partner in the energy sector that drives Alberta's economy, and we are environmental stewards developing innovative solutions to protect our land for the future. We got there by working hard, acting in good faith, and being persistent. We built our own financial success, one contract and one company at a time. When we needed to, we fought hard: we first negotiated and then litigated the Moose Lake Accord, which created a protected zone preserving our traditional lands from expanding oilsands development. Article content
Cision Canada
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
UCP MAKES IT EASIER FOR ALBERTANS TO BRING FORWARD SEPARATION REFERENDUM BUT DENIES FIRST NATIONS RIGHT TO VOTE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
FORT CHIPEWYAN, AB, May 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) who reside in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and requested to be able to vote in municipal elections were rejected by the UCP Minister of Municipal Affairs Rick McIver, the entire UCP caucus including Minister Brian Jean, and MLA Tany Yao, who represent the region in question. "This vote comes at a critical time as First Nations wonder about the UCP government's commitment to respecting Treaty Rights," said ACFN Chief Allan Adam. "This vote gives you a pretty clear indication of how the UCP intendeds to win a referendum vote to separate from Canada; disenfranchise First Nations that stand in its way." The amendment to allow ACFN voting rights in municipal elections was introduced by NDP MLA for Edmonton West Henday, Brooks Arcand Paul. The amendment was to the Local Authorities Elections Act, which was being reviewed by the Committee of the Whole, is meant to correct a long-standing injustice. Currently 5 First Nations including Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation are nested completely nested within the RMWB, receive municipal service, and are deeply integrated both logistically and politically within the municipality. "Allowing ACFN the right to vote would recognize the reality they face; they are residents of the RMWB", said Chief Adam. The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation had met with Minister McIver on March 26, 2024 and the issue of municipal voting was again brought up in the legislature on May 28, 2024. Both times Minister McIver said that he would address this problem before the next municipal election. Now he is turning his back on this promise and is instead choosing to allow this discriminatory practice to continue. "This should sound alarms to everyone paying attention to the referendum discussion currently happening in Alberta," said Chief Adam. "The UCP government is trying to pick and choose who gets to vote in this province's future. We call on all Nations, and all Albertans to reject this ploy."
