Assembly of First Nations Supports Algonquins of Barriere Lake in Their Call
for Canada to Respect Their Traditional Governance

OTTAWA, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo commented today on a rally on Parliament Hill organized by the community and supporters of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake to call on Canada to respect their traditional governance and environmental agreements.

National Chief Atleo stated: "The AFN fully supports the citizens of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake in their call for control of their governance and decision-making based on their traditional approach - Onakinakewin, as it is called in their language. I have offered a proposal to the Minister of Indian Affairs for a joint fact-finding process with the AFN and the Minister to work with the community to clarify the issues, to help resolve any governance matters and to ensure they can take control of their own governance and decision-making processes. The community supports this proposal and we call on Canada to work with us and the Algonquins of Barriere Lake to find the path forward.

We call on the federal government to respect and honour the rights of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake to control their own affairs and resolve any governance issues through their own internal processes. This is consistent with reconciliation and with the articles and principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which Canada has endorsed. If the AFN can play a facilitative role then we are more than willing to assist. We fully support the citizens of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake."

The Algonquins of Barriere Lake are rallying with supporters on Parliament Hill today.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations in Canada. 

For further information:

Alain Garon, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382, 613 292-0857 or [email protected]

Jenna Young, Assembly of First Nations Communications Officer at 613-241-6789, ext 401, 613-314-8157 or [email protected]