Three northern First Nations say they are prepared to go to court if needed to protect their rights on a traditional territory trans-boundary land claims agreement.
The Black Lake, Fond Du Lac and Hatchet Lake First Nations say they filed a judicial review Thursday against Minister Carolyn Bennett’s decision to shut down negotiations.
The leaders say they have been negotiating for two decades on an out-of-court settlement for rights recognition on lands now known as Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
The Athabasca Denesųłiné say in mid-June Bennett informed them that she would not initial an agreement and unilaterally halted negotiations.
This led to a protest in Ottawa and a letter to Bennett.
“It is shameful that your government would use consultations as an excuse to justify such an act of bad faith,” the letter stated.
Fond Du Lac First Nation Chief Louis Mercredi called on Bennett to reverse her decision and initial the agreement, adding it was strange that leaders today had to negotiate for land that their ancestors used for thousands of years.
“Consultations with Indigenous groups in the Northwest Territories started in 2016 and accommodations have been made. Understandings were reached with the Government of Canada that consultations could continue after initialing and further accommodations could be made,” stated the letter.
The Athabasca Denesųłiné say shortly after Bennett’s decision to break off negotiations, they went to federal court requesting mediation in an attempt to resume negotiations, which was accepted by the court. The judicial review would only be needed if mediation fails.
(Photo: Northern First Nations protesting in Ottawa. Courtesy of Athabasca Denesuline Final Agreement – North of 60 Facebook)