East Side First Nations Sign MOU |
03 May 04 |
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Province of Manitoba and eight First Nations located on the East Side of Lake Winnipeg was signed April 22, 2004. The MOU is an agreement between the First Nations and the province to work together on sustainable land use projects for the vast area of boreal forest along the east side of the lake. The future protocol will serve as a foundation for First Nations communities to be involved in decisions that will affect their communities and traditional territories. Conservation Minister Stan Struthers, Culture and Heritage Minister Eric Robinson and Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin attended the signing ceremonies. Chiefs and Elders from the First Nation communities also took part in the ceremonies. However, the ceremony was marred by controversy and delayed more than an hour while leaders from the First Nations communities met with government officials about whether they would sign the agreement. In the end, just eight of the 16 bands agreed to sign the MOU. The rest walked away from the meeting, seeking more time to review the agreement or citing fundamental flaws to the East Side Planning Initiative process. Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said the refusal of eight First Nations to sign the MOU does not mean the consultation process has failed and that the process is open for the other First Nations to join as they become comfortable with the process. View the Manitoba Government Press Release Download the April 23, 2004 Winnipeg Free Press article (DOC) Download the Memorandum of Understanding (DOC) Sources: Government of Manitoba Press Release, Winnipeg Free Press
|
|
