NAN LAUNCHES ANTI-BILL 191 CAMPAIGN

THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 31 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy, NAN Executive Council, NAN Chiefs and NAN Tribal Councils today officially launched their campaign opposing the Ontario Government’s proposed Bill 191 (Far North Act).

“We are done talking, it’s time to take serious action,” said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. “First Nations must have a say in how and when our land will be developed. Bill 191 takes away that right for our remote communities in the Far North. There’s no other alternative for the McGuinty Government than to scrap this Bill and we will be ramping-up our efforts to ensure that message is loud and clear.”

NAN Chiefs-in-Assembly unanimously declared their official opposition to Bill 191 on August 13, 2010 following a two-day emergency NAN Chiefs assembly in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Beginning today, up until the scheduled Third Reading of Bill 191 in the Ontario Legislature in mid-September, NAN First Nations will be participating in a number of actions opposing Bill 191 – including, but not limited to: Letters/Editorials; Rally at Queen’s Park; Distribution of materials such as pamphlets, posters etc.; Participation in radio programs broadcasts; Letters to Government, Industry and Environmental Groups; Meetings with Members of Provincial Parliament; Petitions opposing Bill 191.

“It is vital that we make NAN’s presence and position known; we are coming together in unity to fight for what is rightfully ours,” said Beardy.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty 5 – an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario.

For further information:

please contact Amy Harris, Media Relations Officer - Nishnawbe Aski Nation [phone] or [phone] mobile or by email [email protected].