Governor General of Canada and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to Attend Royal Proclamation Symposium

OTTAWA, Oct. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - The Land Claims Agreements Coalition is pleased to announce that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will be delivering an opening address at the Creating Canada symposium, to be held October 7, 2013 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister The Honourable Bernard Valcourt will also be addressing the participants with comments on behalf of the federal government. The Symposium marks the 250^th Anniversary of the Royal Proclamation of October 7, 1763. This legal touchstone established a requirement for honourable dealing with Aboriginal peoples, and was the basis for subsequent treaty negotiations across Canada.

"It is an important step for the Governor General to represent the Crown in its relationship with Aboriginal peoples in Canada," said Mitchell Stevens, President of the Nisga'a Lisims Government and co-chair of the Coalition. "I am also pleased that Minister Valcourt has agreed to present us with his views on this important occasion."

Fellow co-chair and President of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Cathy Towtongie added: "This event is an opportunity to improve everyone's understanding of the history behind modern land claims agreements."  She added that "the negotiation of land claims agreements is part of the history of Canada, going as far back as the Proclamation. They must be honoured and fully implemented."

Aboriginal leaders from across Canada will attend, as well as academics from Canada and the United States, who will discuss the past and present significance of the Royal Proclamation. The event has attracted close to 300 registrants to date, and seats are still available. For more information, including a list of speakers, background information and the schedule for the day, visit www.landclaimscoalition.ca.

SOURCE: LAND CLAIMS AGREEMENTS COALITION

Patti Black, Coordinator, Land Claims Agreements Coalition
cell: 613-453-0788, email: [email protected]
web: www.landclaimscoalition.ca