AFN Chief Not A Fan Of Metis Harvesting Regimes

AFN Chief Not A Fan Of Metis Harvesting Regimes

Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 14:48

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations appears to be supporting opposition to Metis harvesting agreements.

The Metis Nation of Alberta currently has an interim harvesting agreement with the Alberta government which grants residents of Metis settlements hunting and fishing rights.

However, just recently, the Confederacy of Treaty 6 Nations in Alberta passed a resolution asking the Alberta government to set aside that agreement.

When asked about the development yesterday, AFN chief Phil Fontaine said First Nations are not prepared to compromise their rights to land and resources.

Fontaine promised that First Nations would “aggressively resist” any relinquishment of those rights.

Fontaine also noted the AFN has insisted Ottawa deal with First Nations distinctly from other Aboriginal groups that signed political accords with the government back in May.