AFNQL supports the Innu Councils of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam and Matimekush-Lake John and asks Iron Ore Corporation Rio TINTO to conclude rapidly an honorable agreement with the Innus

WENDAKE, QC, Oct. 7, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The AFNQL supports the repeated efforts by the Innus who want to conclude in mutual respect an agreement with a mining company which has occupied and exploited for decades non-ceded territories.

"Those companies which have exploited, exploit or plan to exploit the resources on our non-ceded territories must face their responsibilities and obligations. The Title and Ancestral and Treaty Rights of First Nations are a reality ignored for much too long, and this in spite of the indications given on numerous occasions by the Supreme Court of Canada, notably this last June in the Tsilhqot'in Decision.

The companies face the duty to send a strong positive message, a message bearing hope to our people and in particular to our youth: the time of injustice is over.

This is the condition to an harmonious development. The provincial government must also face its responsibility and urge the promoters to come to honorable agreements with First Nations", affirms the Interim Chiefs Committee of the AFNQL.

About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization of 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. www.apnql-afnql.com

SOURCE: Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador

Mélanie Vincent: [email protected], Cell.: 418-580-4442