RESOLUTION NO. 1997-08-08
SUBJECT: ATTAWAPISKAT TRADITIONAL TERRITORY LAND CLAIM
WHEREAS since time immemorial the members of Attawapiskat First Nation have been caring for and utilizing the land around the community of Attawapiskat including Akamaski Island and all waterways within this territory; and
WHEREAS the land contained within Attawapiskat traditional territory is coming under increasing pressure from mining, forestry, and other related industries; and
WHEREAS the Ministry of Natural Resources continues to harass Attawapiskat First Nation members who pursue activities on Akamaski Island and elsewhere in the Attawapiskat traditional territory; and
WHEREAS Attawapiskat First Nation has never agreed to give up its rights to the management and traditional use of Akamaski Island and its other traditional territory; and
WHEREAS the claims of the Attawapiskat First Nation to Akamaski Island and other traditional territories are not intended to conflict with the claims of other Mushkegowuk First Nations, but are likely to help strengthen their claims;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Chiefs in Assembly fully support the Attawapiskat First Nation in its Land Claim regarding Akamaski Island and other traditional territories; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Chiefs in Assembly call upon the Federal Government to actively support the Attawapiskat Land Claim initiative and to immediately recognize the land rights of the Attawapiskat First Nation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Chiefs in Assembly call upon the Provincial Government to recognize and respect the obligations the Province undertook as an original co-signatory to Treaty 9, and caU upon the Province to actively support the Attawapiskat Land Claim initiative and to immediately recognize the land rights of the Attawapiskat First Nation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources immediately recognize the authority of the Attawapiskat First Nation in regards to traditional activities on Akamaski Island and other Attawapiskat traditional territories and refrain from harassing any Attawapiskat First Nation· members in their traditional pursuits anywhere on Akamaski Island or elsewhere; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Chiefs in Assembly express appreciation to NAN for the continued provision of legal, historical and other assistance to Attawapiskat First Nation regarding its Land Claim, and express support for continued assistance from NAN; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Chiefs in Assembly support efforts to obtain from Inuit representatives of Nunavit full recognition of Attawapiskat First Nation jurisdiction and rights on Akamaski Island, and instruct Mushkegowuk Council Legal Counsel to provide initial legal background on the present recognition in law of traditional harvesting rights on Akamaski Island; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Mushkegowuk Council establish a Land Claim Working Group for the purpose of assisting the Attawapiskat First
Nation in its claim through research and other means and that Mushkegowuk Council staff seek funding for the work of such a Working Group; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that Mushkegowuk Council support and work together with the Attawapiskat First Nation in approaching the Ministry of Natural Resources to negotiate co-management of Akamaski Island and/or other traditional territory.
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