The James Bay Cree Nation reaffirms its commitment to advancing Cree rights in Ontario and Labrador in the courts, following the decision of the Federal Court

NEMASKA, EEYOU ISTCHEE, QC, July 30, 2015 /CNW/ - The James Bay Cree Nation reaffirms its commitment to achieve full recognition of Cree ancestral rights in Ontario and Labrador, following the decision issued by the Federal Court of Canada on July 28, 2015 in a lawsuit known as Coon Come no. 3. This lawsuit involves claims by the Cree Nation regarding unsettled aboriginal rights and title in parts of Ontario and Labrador. In the decision released on Tuesday, the Federal Court ruled in favour of the Cree Nation, and rejected the request of the Government of Canada that these claims be struck in their entirety.

In reaching this decision, the Federal Court rejected Canada's argument that the Cree Nation had committed itself, in the New Relationship Agreement signed with Canada in 2008, to discontinuing all claims against Canada once Cree rights relating to the offshore Eeyou Marine Region were settled. Instead, the Court agreed with the Cree Nation, holding that the 2008 New Relationship Agreement and the 2010 Eeyou Marine Agreement did not touch on the Cree Nation's claims in relation to Ontario and Labrador.

"We are pleased that the Federal Court confirmed our understanding of the facts in this case," said Grand Chief Dr. Matthew Coon Come, the lead representative plaintiff in the action. "The Court's validation of our position on this preliminary motion allows us to move forward with our claims before the courts, and to continue our fight for the recognition and fulfillment of Cree rights in Ontario and Labrador."

SOURCE The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)

Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief, Telephone: [phone]; Bill Namagoose, Executive Director, Cellular: [phone]