KWE ANICINABE! This is the first issue of our Chief and Council Newsletter. We plan on issuing this News-letter on a regular basis. Our Council has been given another mandate by the Peo-ple and we have taken ac-tions to improve our commu-nity’s social and economic situation., including getting support from our regional and national First Nations organizations, AFNQL and AFN for our 1991 and 1998 Agreements.

Federal Relations

Unfortunately, as with most First Nations across Canada our relations with the Harper gov-ernment has been very poor. We took legal action against the federal government and the Third Party Managers (TPM’s) in an effort to regain control of our community’s finances and administration. Unfortunately, our case was moved from Toronto courts where our lawyer is located to Montreal, which is more costly for our lawyer and our First Nation. We are now considering our legal options. This will take some time but we fully intend to achieve this goal one way or another. Meanwhile, the federal government has taken our Council to court for non-compliance with the federal First Nations Financial Transparency Act not because we refuse to disclose our salaries, but because we refuse to sign off on an audit we had no input into or many of the financial transactions of the federal government’s Third Party Manager.

Message From Chief Casey Ratt

Special points of interest:

Update on Federal and Quebec Relations

Support for Our Commu-nity from AFNQL

Support for Our Commu-nity from AFN National Chief Bellegarde

Algonquin Chiefs’ Public Warning

Algonquin Chiefs’ Seek Protection of Sacred Area

ABL Vision For The Future

Inside this issue:

Chief’s Message 1

AFNQL Support 5

AFN Support 8

Chiefs’ Warning 9

Protection of Sacred Area

10

ABL Future Vision 12

Mitchikanabikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake)

Mitchikanabikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake) Newsletter from Chief and Council

September 2015

Volume 1, Issue 1

Left to Right: Marie-Jose Thomas-ADM-SAA, Clifford Lincoln-ABL Special Representative, Geoffrey Kelley-Quebec Minister of SAA, Casey Ratt-Chief of ABL, Simon Turmel-Chief of Staff Minister Kelley

Since the fall of 2014, our Council has been requesting to the federal Minister of Aborigi-nal Affairs, Bernard Valcourt, the following three conditions to agreeing with the audit pro-cess: 1. Our Council wants a say in choosing the auditor; and 2. Our Council wants a say in the scope of the audit; and 3. Our Council wants a dispute resolution process regarding transactions our Council

did not approve made by the Third Party Manager. Minister Valcourt refused our Council’s request and the deadline passed last fall for the FNFTA to take effect to have our audit filed with the federal government. We missed the FNFTA deadline because our First Nation’s audit was incomplete. The Third Party Manager did not ensure the financial information from all federal departments was received in time. Two federal departments, Health Canada and Human Resources Development Cana-da had not provided the required financial information for the 2013-2014 audit. As a consequence, Minister Valcourt cut our—what he called “non-essential” services—band support and economic development. Our Council and First Nations was penalized by the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs for not meeting the FNFTA deadline. We need to point out to our members that this federal law is flawed. The FNFTA is silent on the transparency or accountability of Third Party Managers or federal departments to First Nations on how monies Parliament voted on for First Nations is being spent and ac-counted for by federally appointed Third Party Managers or federal bureaucrats, including those at federal departments in the Quebec Region. Our Council wants to see transparency and accountability from the Third Party Managers and the federal government’s officials about their financial decisions that affect our First Nations social and economic development. As you know our First Nation has been in fed-eral Third Party Management since 2006, nine years now! Our community development is frozen and our social and economic conditions aren’t im-proving under Canada’s colonial system of control by Third Party Managers. Our Council is requesting that the federal government honour the previous agreements with our First Nation and in cooperation with our Council implement our former Chief Wa-watie’s Master-Plan for the expansion of our land-base at Rapid Lake, as well, as the terms and conditions for the electrification of Rapid Lake. We want a decisive voice in our community development! Since there is a federal election campaign on right now our Council will be seeking com-mitments from the federal candidates about negotiating an agreement with our First Na-tion to remove us from Third Party Management and to honour the previous Agreements that Canada entered into with our First Nation.

‘Message from Chief’ continued from page 1

Page 2 Mitchikanabikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake) Newsletter

Newsletter from Chief and Council

Mr. Bernard Val-court, Federal Minis-

ter of Aboriginal Affairs, Canada

Mr. Geoffrey Kelley, Minister for Aborigi-nal Affairs, Quebec

Quebec Relations

Our current relationship with the Quebec government is better than with the federal government. I am pleased to report that on May 4, 2015, I met with the Quebec Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Geoffrey Kelley, in Pointe Claire, Quebec to discuss the start-up of negotiations with the government of Quebec on implementing the Ciaccia-Lincoln Joint recommendations. Minister Kelley has confirmed to me in writing that all seven Joint Recommenda-tions, including Revenue-Sharing will be included in the negotiations. The seven Joint Recommendations are from the 1991 Trilateral and 1998 Bilateral Agree-ments and were negotiated by Mr. John Ciaccia, Quebec’s Special Representative and Mr. Clifford Lincoln, our community’s Special Representative.

Ciaccia-Lincoln Recommendations

Just to remind everyone, in 2006, on behalf of our community our then Chief Harry Wawatie accepted the Joint Recommendations of the Quebec-ABL Special Repre-sentatives, but at the time Quebec government did not accept the Revenue-Sharing recommendation and negotiations broke down in 2006.

The Quebec government has now agreed to resume negotiations with our communi-ty on implementing the following Joint Recommendations:

1. Recognition of the Trilateral Agreement Territory as a Special Management Zone where Resource Plans & Operations are subject to a jointly agreed to Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP).

2. That the 7 Traditional Management Area Forestry Management Plans be Ap-proved as Frameworks for the Ongoing Management of Forestry Resources. That the 5 Wildlife Management Plans & Issues be Negotiated. That the So-cial Indicators be used to measure ABL Social & Economic Development.

3. That a joint Québec-ABL Co-Management Committee be Instituted and Man-dated to Oversee the Implementation of the IRMP.

4. Revenue-Sharing: That Quebec provide an annual financial contribution of $1.5 Million, increased annually linked to level of natural resource exploita-tion.

5. Expansion of the Land-Base: Around existing Reserve.

6. Electrification of Rapid Lake Reserve: By Hydro-Quebec.

7. All of the above provisions will be detailed in a legally binding agreement be-tween the Government of Quebec and the ABL Without Prejudice to Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.

‘Message from Chief’ continued from page 2

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1

“in 2006, on

behalf of our

community our

then Chief Harry

Wawatie accepted

the Joint

Recommendations

of the Quebec-ABL

Special

Representatives,

but at the time

Quebec

government did

not accept the

Revenue-Sharing

recommendation

and negotiations

broke down in

2006”

ABL Negotiating Team

I have asked Mr. Clifford Lincoln to stay on as our Special Representative and Negotiator to seek an Implementation Agreement with the Quebec government and he has agreed.

To assist Mr. Lincoln I have asked former Chief and signatory to the 1991 Trilateral Agree-ment, Mr. Jean Maurice Matchewan to act as Community Liaison and Mr. Russell Diabo, to act as Mr. Lincoln’s Assistant and they have agreed also.

Quebec Negotiating Team

The Quebec government has appointed Mr. Mario Gibeault, a former Assistant Deputy Minister to the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources, as their Special Representative and Negotiator. Mr. Gibeault will be assisted by Marie-Jose Thomas, Associate Deputy Minister SAA, Ms. Coralie Laurendeau, SAA and Mr. Eric Beauregard, MFFP/MNR.

Status of Quebec Negotiations

There have been several negotiation sessions held in Montreal:

June 3, 2015.

June 17, 2015.

July 7, 2015.

At the July 7, 2015, negotiation session at our negotiators’ request Quebec presented a proposal for Revenue Sharing (Ciaccia-Lincoln Recommendation #4). Quebec is offering to set up a $1.5 Million fund for our community social-economic development on a test basis for one year, along with other conditions. This is not consistent with the Ciaccia-Lincoln Recommendation #4, which provided “an annual contribution be established at $1.5 Mil-lion”.

This proposal was discussed in two community meetings at Rapid Lake and the conditions from Quebec are not acceptable to our Council. I have instructed our negotiating team to meet with the Quebec representatives in order to state our position and try and obtain an acceptable new offer – failing which we would ask Minister Kelley to visit Rapid Lake and meet with the Chief and Council.

A meeting has already been requested with Quebec and will take place shortly.

It has been 25 years since the 1991 Trilateral Agreement was signed and 17 years since the 1998 Bilateral Agreement was signed. We are now in Phase III of the Trilateral Agree-ment, which states that changes to Quebec’s “management and exploitation methods, administrative and contractual adjustments and amendments to regulations or laws” can be considered to implement co-management and revenue sharing with our community.

If any of our members wants to discuss these negotiations please feel free to contact my-self as your Chief or our former Chief and now Community Liaison, Jean Maurice Matche-wan in Rapid Lake.

‘Message from Chief’ conclusion from page 3

Page 4 Mitchikanabikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake) Newsletter

Newsletter from Chief and Council

Mr. Clifford Lincoln, ABL Special Repre-sentative and Nego-

tiator

Mr. Mario Gibeault, Quebec Special Rep-resentative and Ne-

gotiator

WHEREAS since time immemorial, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake have used and occupied their lands for the pursuit of traditional activities, managing the lands and resources, as part of their way of life, on the basis of conservation and harmony with Mother Earth; WHEREAS impacts from flooding, logging and wildlife depletion, in the last 125 years have devastated the lands and resources and disrupted their traditional way of life; WHEREAS determined to overcome these impacts; to maintain their traditional way of life and to improve the management of the lands and resources for the benefit of all, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake encouraged the Governments of Canada and Quebec to cooperate in a partnership in developing a conservation strategy based on the principles of sustainable development as expressed in the 1987 Report of the U.N. Committee on Environment and Development (Brundtland Report); WHEREAS in good faith, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake signed a Trilateral Agree-ment with Canada and Quebec on August 22, 1991 to develop an Integrated Re-source Management Plan and interim Measures to Harmonize forestry activities with Algonquin traditional activities;

WHEREAS the government of Canada in signing the Trilateral Agreement acknowl-edged its fiduciary obligations to the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, yet it remains in breach of the Agreement after unilaterally walking away from the process in July 2001; moreover, the federal government actively worked to undermine the Agree-ment by meddling in community leadership and in fact, breached their customary governance by imposing the Indian Act elective system contrary to their longstand-ing customs and the Algonquin right to self-determination;

WHEREAS despite the federal breaches, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake persisted in engaging with Quebec, and while there were disagreements, Barriere Lake and Quebec came to an agreement on the Trilateral Agreement approach and process, which led to a Bilateral Agreement on May 22, 1998, for undertaking negotiations under the Trilateral Agreement between the Algonquins of Barriere Lake and Que-bec;

WHEREAS section 7 of the 1998 Agreement provided for Quebec negotiating co-management of natural resources and resource revenue sharing, among other is-sues with the Algonquins of Barriere Lake;

WHEREAS as per the provisions of the Phase III of the 1991 Trilateral Agreement and Section 7 of the 1998 Bilateral Agreement the Quebec Cabinet mandated their Special Representative, John Ciaccia to negotiate with the Algonquins of Barriere Lake;

WHEREAS as per the provisions of the Phase III of the 1991 Trilateral Agreement

AFNQL RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR ALGONQUINS OF BARRIERE LAKE 1991 AND 1998 AGREEMENTS ON CO-MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND RESOURCE REVENUE

SHARING

Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 1

“in good faith, the

Algonquins of

Barriere Lake

signed a Trilateral

Agreement with

Canada and

Quebec on August

22, 1991 to

develop an

Integrated

Resource

Management Plan

and interim

Measures to

Harmonize forestry

activities with

Algonquin

traditional

activities”

and Section 7 of the 1998 Bilateral Agreement the Algonquins of Barriere Lake mandated their Special Representative, Clifford Lincoln to negotiate with the gov-ernment of Quebec;

WHEREAS in July 2006, the Quebec and Algonquins of Barriere Lake Special Repre-sentatives presented their Joint Recommendations to Quebec and the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, which are:

1. Recognition of the Trilateral Agreement Territory as a special management zone.

2. Implementation of the draft forest and wildlife plans within the Trilateral Agree-ment Territory.

3. Participation in the management of renewable resources.

4. Revenue sharing and access to resources.

5. Expansion of the Land Base of Rapid Lake.

6. Electrification of Rapid Lake.

7. A without prejudice legally binding agreement to implement the recommenda-tions.

WHEREAS in July 2006, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, as represented by then customary Chief Harry Wawatie, accepted the Ciaccia-Lincoln Joint Recommenda-tions;

WHEREAS in 2010, four years after receiving the Ciaccia-Lincoln Joint Recommen-dations the Quebec Cabinet accepted all of the recommendations except #4: Que-bec refused to accept and negotiate the recommendation that Barriere Lake be pro-vided $1.5 M annually, representing a share of resource revenues generated from the Trilateral Agreement territory, being approximately $900 million during the Tri-lateral Agreement study period (1991 to 2001); instead Quebec proposed an alter-native to paying resource revenue sharing;

WHEREAS Quebec rejected resource revenue sharing despite the fact that in Sec-tion 7 of the 1998 Bilateral Agreement the government of Quebec agreed to negoti-ate resource revenue sharing with the Algonquins of Barriere Lake and mandated their Special Representative, John Ciaccia, to negotiate the matter and Mr. Ciaccia (along with Mr. Lincoln) recommended to the Parties to the 1991 and 1998 Agree-ments an annual amount of $1.5 million be paid as a contribution to the Algonquins of Barriere Lake for the exploitation of natural resources from the Trilateral Agree-ment Territory;

WHEREAS almost nine years after the Ciaccia-Lincoln Joint Recommendations were submitted the government of Quebec has now confirmed to the Algonquins of Barri-ere Lake its intention to establish a negotiation process to implement all of the Ciac-cia-Lincoln Joint Recommendations except recommendation #4-resource revenue sharing, which Quebec continues to reject;

‘AFNQL Support’ continued from page 3

Page 6 Mitchikanabikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake) Newsletter

Newsletter from Chief and Council

L to R: John Ciaccia & Clifford Lincoln

circa 2006. (Photo by R. Diabo)

The late ABL Chief Harry Wawatie, cir-

ca 2001.

WHEREAS Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard has committed to the AFNQL Chiefs' Assembly the establishment of Regional Working Groups on Consultation and Re-source Revenue Sharing,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:

1. The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador consider the 2001 unilateral withdrawal from the solemn 1991 Trilateral Agreement by the federal Government as immoral, illegal and a breach of fiduciary duty and international human rights, and as such, condemn this action by Canada.

2. The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador strongly urge Quebec and Canada to honour their obligations under the 1991 Trilateral Agreement and the 1998 Bilateral Agreement.

3. The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador strongly urge the Government of Quebec to honour the 1998 Bilateral Agreement and implement the Ciaccia-Lincoln Joint Recommendations, including #4 on an annual contribution of $1.5 million for Resource Revenue Sharing to the Algonquins of Barriere Lake.

4. Given that Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard has committed to the establish-ment of Regional Working-Groups on Consultation and Resource Revenue Sharing, as a sign of good faith, AFNQL urge the Quebec government to honour its commit-ment to negotiate resource revenue sharing with Barriere Lake, including retroactive payments since the date of the Lincoln-Ciaccia Report in 2006.

5. The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador hereby assert that if the situa-tion at Barriere Lake deteriorates into a confrontation, every peaceful effort shall be made to support the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, both in the field, throughout the country, and in the international forum, including the United Nations.

PROPOSED BY: Grand Chief Konrad Sioui, Wendake

SECONDED BY: Chief Lloyd Phillips, proxy, Kahnawake

ADOPTED BY CONSENSUS ON JANUARY 28, 2015 IN QUEBEC CITY

‘AFNQL Support’ conclusion from page 4

Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 1

“strongly urge

Quebec and

Canada to

honour their

obligations

under the 1991

Trilateral

Agreement and

the 1998

Bilateral

Agreement”

Former ABL Chief Jean Maurice Match-

ewan, circa 2007.

April I, 2015

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, P.C., M.P. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada 10 Wellington Street Gatineau, QC KIA OH4 Dear Minister: I am writing to you today in support of the Algonquins of Barrier Lake, in Quebec. The Algonquins of Barrier Lake have used and occupied their lands since time immemorial. However, the impacts of flooding, logging and wildlife depletion over the last 125 years have devastated their lands and resources, and have disrupted their traditional way of life. Meanwhile, resource development initiatives in their territory generate over $100 million annually. The Algonquins of Barrier Lake, who are situated on a tiny 59-acre reserve, experience extremely high rates of unemployment and diabetes, and a lack of housing and education supports, do not benefit from these initiatives. In 1991 the Governments of Canada and Quebec entered into an Agreement with Algonquins of Barrier Lake to develop and implement an Integrated Resource Management Plan. In 1998, the Government of Quebec entered into an Agreement with the Algonquins of Barrier Lake regarding an approach and process for completing the work under the 1991 Trilateral Agreement, resulting in the 2006 Ciaccia-Lincoln Joint Recommendations. The Government of Quebec has confirmed its intentions to establish a negotiation process to implement all the Ciaccia-Lincoln Joint Recommendations except recommendation #4 - resource revenue sharing, which Quebec contin-ues to reject. Recommendation # 6, Electrification of Rapid Lake, continues to be of central con-cern for the Algonquins of Barrier Lake, and is supported by the Government of Quebec. Despite being a signatory to the original 1991 Trilateral Agreement, Canada unilaterally withdrew from the process in 2001. This constitutes a breach of Canada's fiduciary duty to the Algonquins of Barrier Lake. Canada has an obligation to support the Trilateral Agreement and the agree-ments that flow from this process. To do otherwise compromises the Honour of the Crown. As National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, I am calling upon Canada to honour the 1991 Trilateral Agreement and to fully support the 1998 agreement and 2006 Ciaccia-Lincoln Joint Recommendations by negotiating a new Memorandum of Understanding on the electrification of the Rapid Lake Reserve. Further, Canada must include the Algonquins of Barrier Lake Chief and Council in negotiations on the conclusion of a community Master-Plan before electrification of the reserve occurs. It is imperative that Canada fulfill its fiduciary obligations and the Honour of the Crown by helping the Algonquins of Barrier Lake to narrow the socio-economic gap that exists between them and the rest of Canada. Honouring the 1991 Trilateral Agreement and the Ciaccia-Lincoln Joint Recommendations is the starting point in this process for Canada. I trust that you recognize the urgency of this situation and look forward to hearing about your follow-up in the near future. Yours sincerely, Perry Bellegarde National Chief

Letter from AFN National Chief Bellegarde to Minister Valcourt

Page 8 Mitchikanabikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake) Newsletter

“As National Chief

of the Assembly of

First Nations, I am

calling upon

Canada to honour

the 1991

Trilateral

Agreement and to

fully support the

1998 agreement

and 2006 Ciaccia-

Lincoln Joint

Recommendations

“

AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde

Bernard Valcourt, federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

(Algonquin Territory/June 26, 2015) It has come to our attention that there are individuals and/or groups who are publicly claiming to be the representatives of the Algonquin Nation – including calling themselves Chiefs. These individuals are NOT legally or politically mandated to do so. In particular, we are informed that a network of individuals calling themselves the “Anishnabe of the Ottawa River Watershed” and the “Government of Anishnabe Nation” intend on issuing a public “Declaration of Independence” on Victoria Island in Ottawa on June 26, 2015. For greater certainty, this Joint Press Release from our four Algonquin First Nations is to in-form other Indigenous Nations, the public, corporations, governments of Canada, Quebec, Ontario and their respective municipalities that the following Chiefs listed here are the legiti-mate elected representatives of the Algonquin First Nation communities who form the Algon-quin Nation of the Ottawa River Watershed. As far as our four Algonquin First Nations are concerned these are the elected representa-tives who should be consulted and accommodated regarding any project or activity affecting the traditional lands and resources of the Algonquin Nation within the Ottawa River water-shed, in either Quebec or Ontario. Algonquin Chiefs: Mitchikinabikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake): Chief Casey Ratt Timiskaming: Chief Terence McBride Wolf Lake: Chief Harry St. Denis Eagle Village (Kebaouek): Chief Lance Haymond Long Point (Winneway): Chief Derek Mathias Kitcisakik (Grand Lac): Chief Adrienne Anichinapeo Lac Simon: Chief Salomee McKenzie Kitigan Zibi (River Desert): Chief Jean Guy Whiteduck Algonquins of Pikwakanagan (at Golden Lake): Chief Kirby Whiteduck Algonquin Tribal Councils: Algonquin Nation Secretariat (based at Timiskaming, Quebec) Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council (based at Kitigan Zibi Quebec) FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Chief Harry St. Denis Office: (819) 627-9083 Wolf Lake First Nation Chief Terrance McBride Office: (819) 723-2370 Timiskaming First Nation Chief Lance Haymond Office: (819) 627-3455 Eagle Village First Nation Chief Casey Ratt Office: (819) 435-2181 Mitchikinabikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake)

PRESS RELEASE: Four Duly Elected Algonquin Nation Chiefs of the Ottawa River Watershed Warn Public of Individuals and Groups Falsely Posing As Algonquin Representatives

Page 9 Volume 1, Issue 1

“It has come to

our attention

that there are

individuals and/

or groups who

are publicly

claiming to be

the

representatives

of the Algonquin

Nation “

(Algonquin Territory/August 18, 2015) The duly elected Chiefs and Councils from four Algonquin First Nations (Wolf Lake, Timiskaming, Eagle Village, Barriere Lake) announced today their adop-tion of Council Resolutions calling for the protection of an important Algonquin sacred area on the Ottawa River between the cities of Hull and Ottawa and opposing the amendment of the Na-tional Capital Commission and City of Ottawa’s Master-Plans to re-zone the Chaudiere and Albert Islands from “parks and open space” to “mixed-use” for the massive proposed Windmill urban development.

The long industrialized Akikodjiwan (Chaudiere) waterfalls and the adjacent Gatineau waterfront and Chaudiere, Albert and Victoria islands remain a sacred area for all Algonquin Peoples and should not be privatized. These are lands taken illegally, acquired by the federal government and leased to some of the power companies and pulpmills that destroyed Algonquin Territory and Algonquin livelihoods.

In 1613, Samuel du Champlain witnessed our Algonquin Peoples making a tobacco offering to our sacred waterfalls for good travel and good health in accordance with traditional Algonquin custom and in 1801, when Philemon Wright arrived in what is now known as Hull (Gatineau), Quebec he witnessed Algonquin Peoples’ hunting and operating sugar bush camps on the North shore of our sacred area Akikodjiwan (Chaudiere) waterfalls.

Our four First Nations are confirming we were not consulted by the governments of Canada, Que-bec or Ontario, or the National Capital Commission or the municipalities of Gatineau or Ottawa regarding changes to the status of lands and islands within our Algonquin sacred area Akikodji-wan.

Our four Algonquin First Nations are also confirming our opposition to the re-zoning of our sacred area Akikodjiwan (Chaudiere, Albert and Victoria islands in Ontario) from parks and open space to mixed use. As such, our four Algonquin First Nations confirm we are opposed to the Windmill De-velopment Project proceeding within our sacred area Akikodjiwan.

Our four Algonquin First Nations call for our sacred area Akikodjiwan to be protected in perpetuity and recognized within the National Capital Region as an Algonquin Nation Cultural Park and His-toric Commemoration Site under an Algonquin controlled institution to be established by the legit-imate Algonquin First Nations.

Therefore, our four Algonquin First Nations call on the governments of Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the National Capital Commission and the municipalities of Gatineau and Ottawa to contact our duly elected Algonquin Chiefs and Councils to discuss the establishment of our proposed Algon-quin Nation Cultural Park and Historic Commemoration Site.

For More Information Contact:

Chief Harry St. Denis Office: (819) 627-9161 Wolf Lake First Nation

Chief Terrance McBride Office: (819) 723-2370 Timiskaming First Nation

Chief Lance Haymond Office: (819) 627-3455 Eagle Village First Nation

Chief Casey Ratt Office: (819) 435-2181 Algonquins of Barriere Lake

PRESS RELEASE: Four Algonquin First Nations Call for Protection of Algonquin Sacred Area and Oppose Re-Zoning of Lands for Windmill Development Project

Page 10 Mitchikanabikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake) Newsletter

“The long

industrialized

Akikodjiwan

(Chaudiere)

waterfalls and the

adjacent Gatineau

waterfront and

Chaudiere, Albert

and Victoria

islands remain a

sacred area for all

Algonquin

Peoples”

These issues are listed in article 7 of the ABL-Quebec Bilateral Agreement, 1998.

The following are from the 2006 Joint Recommendations of Mr. John Ciaccia (Quebec Special Representive) and Mr. Clifford Lincoln (Algonquins of Barriere Lake Special Representative):

We recommend that the economic aspect of the Algonquins of Barrière Lake’s as-serted interest in the trilateral agreement territory be accommodated by way of an annual financial contribution by the Government of Québec to the Algonquins of Barrière Lake.

We recommend that this annual contribution be established at $1.5 Million and in-clude the monetary value of a theoretical volume of timber.

We recommend that this amount be increased yearly to reflect any increase in reve-nue generating resource development activity on the trilateral agreement territory, Annex 2, and also on the trilateral territory, Annex 1 according to a formula to be developed which takes into account the fact that this territory is shared with other communities.

We further recommend that this yearly contribution be paid to a fund managed by a duly constituted corporation of ABL of Barrière Lake for the purpose of supporting and promoting the social and economic development of the Algonquins of Barrière Lake. There would be Government representatives on its board of directors.

We recommend that this yearly contribution be paid over and above other regular Québec government programs namely the Aboriginal Economic Development Fund and that measures be taken by the Government of Québec and the Algonquins of Barrière Lake to protect this fund from fiscal, own source or any other provincial or federal government policy that would reduce the value of this contribution.

RECOMMENDATION 4: Revenue Sharing and Access to Resources:

Page 11 Volume 1, Issue 1

“We recommend

that this annual

contribution be

established at

$1.5 Million “

L to R: John Ciaccia and Clifford Lincoln, February 9, 2006.

Kitiganik - Rapid Lake - Lac Rapide, Qc

Phone: (819) 435-2181 Email: wawatie.tony@gmail.com Contact: Tony Wawatie, Algonquins of Barriere Lake, Interim Director-General

The Algonquins of Barriere Lake (also known by our Algonquin name, “Mitchikanibikok

Inik”) is a First Nation community of approximately 560 people, situated in the prov-

ince of Quebec, 3 hours drive north of Ottawa, Canada. The socioeconomic conditions

of our community are extremely poor:

We have been marginalized onto a tiny 59-acre reserve at Rapid Lake, which is

overcrowded, dusty and badly eroding.

Unemployment rates are in the range of 80-90%.

There is a housing crisis in our community – on the average, there are 7 per-

sons per home, but the actual numbers go as high as 18-23 per house.

Education levels are low and the incidence of diabetes is high.

On the positive side, our community has managed to maintain our language, customs

and traditional way of life.

In 2010, over the objections of a vast majority of our community, our community was

forced into the section 74 Indian Act Elective system.

Our current Chief and Council are planning to establish a community process to return

to our Algonquin customary system of governance.

Algonquins of Barriere Lake Chief and Council Newsletter

Our Community sees a bright future based on a vision that incorporates four fundamental orientations: Strength through the retention and enhancement of our culture,

language and traditional way of life, augmented by improved train-ing and education geared to our needs;

Self-Determination and Self-Government through adherence to our

customary system of governance and continued respect for our cus-toms adapted to meet contemporary circumstances;

Community development which includes positive social develop-

ment, economic self-sufficiency and modern infrastructure; and A decisive voice in resource management decisions within our tradi-

tional territory, guided by the principles of sustainable development and equitable sharing of resources.

Algonquins of Barriere Lake Vision For The Future