Economic development a priority for First Nations

ALDERVILLE FN, Jan. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - The Southeast Regional Chief for the Anishinabek Nation, Chief J. R. Marsden, says that next week's Crown-First Nations meeting is important for First Nation economies in his region.

"The Federal Government's Additions to Reserve policy is holding back communities in the area of economic development," says Chief Marsden. "We are looking to regain some land in order to focus on economic development ventures."

"In Alderville, I have been trying unsuccessfully to get answers as to why this process is so dysfunctional. It is hard to work with the surrounding township if the government is stalling with additions to reserve," says the Regional Chief.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, to which Canada is a signatory, states that First Nations have the right to engage freely in all their traditional and other economic activities.

Economic Development is one of many First Nations issues that will be brought to the Prime Minister's attention on January 24th at the gathering in Ottawa.

The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 39 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 55,000 people.  The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

Marci Becking
Communications Officer
Union of Ontario Indians
Phone: [phone] (ext. 2290)
Cell:  [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
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