Water Protection in Mushkegowuk Territory

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Resolution No. 2021-11-14

Water Protection in Mushkegowuk Territory

WHEREAS the Omushkego Inherent rights to the waters, lands, air and resources have existed since time immemorial and belong to us and our children into the future without end; and

WHEREAS the Omushkego have existing Treaty Rights protected under section 3 5 of the constitution of Canada; and

WHEREAS the Grand Chief, Deputy Grand Chief, and Council of Chiefs understand the importance of the Omushkego wetlands, watershed, rivers and lakes and habitats supported by the region and traditional lifestyle of the Omushkego; and

WHEREAS the Federal government has set mandates and goals for protection of Canada's land and oceans of 25% by 2025 and 30% by 2030; and

WHEREAS the importance of protecting the waters within our traditional territories has been expressed at the duly convened meeting of the 35th Mushkegowuk Annual General Assembly November 24, 2021; and

WHEREAS the waters of our territory have sustained us since time immemorial, maintaining our habitats, and providing food and clean source of drinking water; and

WHEREAS potential development from upstream of our rivers and muskeg, notably the Ring of Fire, could have serious detrimental effects on our waters;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Assembly fully suppott the Grand Chief Political Office in initiating Nation to Nation talks between Mushkegowuk First Nations, Canada and the province with the goal of protection of the waters within the Omushkego traditional tenitories; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Grand Chiefs Political Office make it clear in writing to the federal and provincial governments that there is a clear present risk of serious future damage to water in Mushkegowuk Territory from the potential Rmg of Fire development, with resulting haim to the fish, animals and plant growth on which we rely, and that we hold those governments responsible for such future damage and harm; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a robust monitoring program, to be managed by First Nations of Mushkegowuk, be pursued fully funded by govermnents for the communities to build capacity for monitoring rivers, lakes and watersheds; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Mushkegowuk will act to support and coordinate regionally between the conservation and planning activities of Mushkegowuk First Nations that are ongoing or proposed, including supp01ting effective communications and infonnation sharing; and further, Mushkegowuk will proceed to collaborate with Mushkegowuk community planning depa1tments and personnel to ensure that Mushkegowuk regional water protection activities compliment and do not interfere with existing or proposed Mushkegowuk community water conservation protection initiatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Grand Chiefs Political Office provide regulai· updates to the Council of Chiefs and Communities on the progress of advancing the goal of protection for the waters within the Omushkego Territory.

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