Old Harry Project: The Huron-Wendat Nation is in Favour of the Assertion and Exercise of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

NIONWENTSÏO, QC, July 19, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - At the very first steps taken by the Mi' gmaq Nation requesting a moratorium on the Old Harry project, and upon invitation from the Mi'gmaq Chiefs, the Grand Chief of the Huron-wendat Nation, Konrad Sioui, accompanied by Chief Claude Rolland, took part in the first peaceful protest held in Carleton that gathered more than a thousand Aboriginal and non-aboriginal walkers to assert high and strong the necessity to put a moratorium on the Old Harry project which could irremediably affect the fragile ecosystem of the whole region.

In his public speech during this peaceful walk, Grand Chief Sioui called for the respect of Mi'gmaq Nation's Treaty rights as well as for the respect of the Simon and Marshall Supreme Court of Canada's decisions. Indeed, the Mi'gmaq Nation and the Huron-Wendat Nation, with the Sioui decision, both have historical treaties which passed with distinction the test of the highest court of Canada with regards to Aboriginal, territorial and Treaty rights.

Also at this gathering, Grand Chief Sioui had affirmed that the Huron-Wendat Nation supports without condition the Mi'gmaq Nation as well as all the inhabitants of this territory, without distinction, in order to demand the federal government to put a moratorium on the Old Harry project. "Today, several years later, and in light of new Supreme Court decisions, not only the requirement of a moratorium is still important, but above all, the assertion of the Aboriginal, territorial and Treaty rights must be put forth and fully exercised in order to be heard and respected" specified Grand Chief Sioui this week.

"Hence, we are not the only ones who want the recognition of our human and social rights. Other groups within the civil society are our allies and it is with this strength and this alliance that we will succeed in maintaining our quality of life and that of all our children. If status quo and passivity are not anymore the answers to the current ecological and environmental stakes, we must gather our strengths to open our circle so that generations to follow can benefit from the beauties of Mother Earth. With this intention, it is indisputable that the Huron-Wendat Nation supports the full exercise of the Aboriginal and Treaty rights for the protection of the Gulf of St-Lawrence. Our Nation has been involved for many years in the defense of Aboriginal rights with other First Nations and in this sense, we will continue to stand together under any circumstances" concluded Grand Chief Sioui.

SOURCE: COUNCIL OF THE HURON-WENDAT NATION

Tina Durand, [phone]