MINISTER AND NATIONAL CHIEF COMMIT TO JOINT ACTION ON SELFGOVERNMENT, TREATIES AND LAND CLAIMS

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OTTAWA, ONTARIO (November 18, 2005) - Phil Fontaine, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development today announced plans for a conference on historic treaties and joint work on First Nation citizenship issues. These initiatives will complement the ongoing work of a Joint Steering Committee that has been established to address Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations. The overarching goal is to promote the effective implementation of self-government and treaties as well as resolution of First Nation land rights and claims.

"These initiatives build on commitments made in the First Nations-Federal Crown Political Accord signed at the Policy Retreat held in May 2005," said Minister Scott. "The Accord acknowledges that the governance powers, lands and resources, and rights confirmed through treaties, land claims and self-government agreements empower First Nations to be more effective partners with Canada and provincial and territorial governments in addressing the socio-economic conditions of First Nations communities."

The Joint Steering Committee was established at the political level under the terms of the Accord to oversee the development of policy frameworks to support the implementation of self-government and treaties and the resolution of First Nation land claims. The Committee's first meeting was held on November 3, 2005. Minister Scott, the Honourable Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and other regional Chiefs were in attendance. At this meeting, the JSC members agreed that priority attention will initially be given to three key areas: treaty implementation, First Nation land rights, and recognition and implementation of First Nation governments.

In this regard, planning will soon begin for a conference on historic treaties to be held in Spring 2006. Treaty rights are recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Canada recognizes 70 historic treaties signed between 1701 and 1923. The conference will share research and understandings related to these treaties, which reflect the distinctive role of First Nations in Canadian history.

"The First Nations perspective will be central as we undertake this joint approach in fundamentally changing the process of effective policy and implementation of First Nations treaties, self-government and land claims," stated AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine. "It must reflect legal and constitutional developments over the past 30 years in order to ensure that recognition and implementation of First Nations rights can be achieved."

A key challenge in moving toward self-government is the issue of First Nation citizenship and the lasting impacts of the registration sections of the Indian Act. "These are going to be major public policy concerns over the next few years," added Minister Scott. "First Nation citizenship and registration are complex subjects and a lot of work will be needed before these issues can be resolved. We have agreed that we need to get going. The first step is to determine how best to organize ourselves to work with the variety of interests which will be involved in these complex subjects. We are committed to early discussions on how best to move the agenda forward."

Background information on the Policy Retreat and the full text of the First Nations-Federal Crown Political Accord on the Recognition and Implementation of First Nations Governments are also available.

For more information, please contact:

Don Kelly
Assembly of First Nations
(613) 241-6789

Campbell Morrison
Press Secretary
Minister Andy Scott's Office
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 997-0002