Lubicon Lake Nation Requires Canada to Come to the Negotiating Table

LUBICON LAKE NATION, LITTLE BUFFALO, AB, July 25, 2012 /CNW/ - The Lubicon Lake Nation has taken further steps in asserting its sovereignty and continuing to enact its self-determination, requiring the Government of Canada to work with the rightful government of the First Nation.  Canada had refused to negotiate and cooperate with the Nation's leadership, asserting that there was a "leadership dispute" and that Canada was therefore unwilling to work with long-time Chief Ominayak and his Council until the issue was resolved internally.  On July 19, 2012 the parties Canada identified as a group claiming rightful leadership in opposition to Chief Ominayak and his Council announced that this was not the case.  Steve Noskey, Dwight Gladue, Larry Ominayak and Dwight Sawan directed a letter to Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Minister John Duncan that provided that Bernard Ominayak represents the Lubicon Lake Indian Nation as Chief. The letter also directs INAC and AANDC and its agents to remove themselves from the Nation and to refrain from any further interference with the Nation.

The Lubicon Lake Nation has received no Government of Canada funding since the acclamation and election of Chief Ominayak and Councilors Walter Whitehead, Alphonse Ominayak, George Whitehead and Bryan Laboucan on June 25, 2009.  Additionally, the Nation has been subject to third party management, in what Lubicon citizens perceive as a means to silence them and stifle their ability to protect their territories.

Chief Ominayak responded to the document by saying:  "The letter addresses that that we [Chief and Council of the Nation and the Elders' Council] have led and continue to lead the Nation and we will continue to work together as a community for the betterment of the Lubicon people.  While it is important that the Government of Canada recognize this and discontinue their attempt to frame their cessation of services and funding as a "leadership dispute", our people know we have been in the office as the rightful government since elected, providing services and continuing to work on protection of Lubicon lands, economic development, environmental health, and the wellness of our people.  In that regard, it's business as usual."  The public acknowledgement of Ominayak's ongoing leadership role should serve to prompt Canada to cease its refusal to work with Ominayak and the Lubicon Lake Nation in the fulfillment of Canada's legal obligations.

For more information, visit: www.lubiconlakenation.ca

About the Lubicon Lake Nation:

The Lubicon Lake Nation is a sovereign Nation which has Canada's longest outstanding land claim.  Canada's treatment of the Lubicon Lake Nation has been the subject of damning reports and findings by the United Nations.

SOURCE: Lubicon Lake Nation

Garrett Tomlinson - Communications

Lubicon Lake Nation

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