Inuit
January 22, 2005
-at a
signing ceremony in Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador, representatives from the
Labrador Inuit Association (LIA), Government of Canada, and Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador signed the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement (Agreement).
Representing the LIA was President William Andersen III. Representing the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador were the Premier, the Honourable Danny
Williams and the Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister responsible for Aboriginal
Affairs. Representing the Government of Canada was the Honourable Andy Scott,
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for
Métis and Non-Status Indians.
The occasion
represents the successful conclusion of 28 years of work by the parties, which
began in 1977 with the filing of a statement of claim by the LIA. This Agreement
provides the Labrador Inuit with defined rights in and to territory in northern
Labrador.
The Agreement, a
modern-day treaty, is the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada.
The Labrador Inuit Association represents approximately 5,300 Inuit and
Kablunangajuit (individuals of partial Inuit ancestry) who live primarily in
five coastal communities (Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet) and
the Upper Lake Melville area of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The self-government
provisions of the Agreement provide for the creation of the Nunatsiavut
Government, five Inuit community governments and Inuit community corporations to
represent Inuit living outside the Settlement Area. All levels of government
will be democratically elected and financially accountable to the electorate.
The Nunatsiavut Government will be able to make laws applicable to Inuit in
Labrador Inuit Lands and Inuit communities with respect to culture and language,
education, health and social services. The Nunatsiavut Government may also make
laws for the administration of Inuit law and to establish necessary enforcement
structures, including an Inuit law enforcement agency and an Inuit court.
The Newfoundland and
Labrador House of Assembly passed ratification legislation enacting the
Agreement on December 6, 2004. The Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act
received Royal Assent the same day.
Federal ratification
legislation for the Agreement is being prepared for introduction to Parliament.
Links
:
http://www.nunatsiavut.com
http://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2005/laa_n2005.htm
http://www.arctica.nl