Meeting of Premiers/Territorial Leaders and Leaders of National Aboriginal Organizations
NEWS RELEASE
WINNIPEG, November 18, 1997 --Premiers, Territorial Leaders and Leaders of the Five National Aboriginal Organizations meeting in Winnipeg today called on the Prime Minister of Canada to hold a Conference of First Ministers and National Aboriginal Leaders as soon as possible to discuss the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples which was released on November 3, 1996.
Premiers, Territorial Leaders and Aboriginal Leaders called upon the federal government to recognize their treaty, constitutional and fiduciary obligations towards Aboriginal people, to acknowledge its responsibility to provide programs and services for all Aboriginal people and to end its policies of off-loading these responsibilities to other orders of government.
It was further agreed that there be a meeting as soon as possible of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and National Aboriginal Leaders to address social issues related to Aboriginal people, a comprehensive process of social policy renewal, the needs of Aboriginal youth and issues related to the implications for Aboriginal people on administrative rebalancing of the Canadian federation. The Honourable Jane Stewart, the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs today agreed to convene such a meeting.
At the meeting, the National Aboriginal Leaders presented to the Premiers and Territorial Leaders a consensus statement of the five organizations outlining framework of principles for a discussion of relationships between federal, provincial and territorial governments and Aboriginal governments and peoples (attached).
The National Aboriginal Leaders also expressed their serious concerns that certain references in the Calgary communiqué might undermine the position of Aboriginal peoples in confederation, as set out in the said Framework.
The Premiers and Territorial Leaders agreed to receive and consider the Framework, and refer it to the consultative or legislative processes under way in their jurisdictions, which are expected to result in resolutions before the spring of 1998.
The Premiers and Territorial Leaders confirmed their support for sections 35 and 25 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and Section 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1867, and acknowledged that in any future constitutional review process affecting Aboriginal rights and interests they will support the participation as equal partners of the five National Aboriginal Organizations.
This support is not meant to exclude the involvement of Aboriginal Leaders in other appropriate meetings of Premiers/Territorial Leaders on issues fundamental to the interests of Aboriginal people.
NOVEMBER 18, 1997
The five participating National Aboriginal Organizations, the Assembly of First Nations, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, Métis National Council, the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, and the Native Women's Association of Canada, affirm the historic and primary fiduciary obligation of the Government of Canada to all Aboriginal Peoples, evidenced by Constitutional, Treaty and Aboriginal rights and invite the Premiers and Territorial Leaders to join with them.
The Aboriginal peoples of Canada have, and enjoy, the inherent right of self-government, a right recognized in
S. 35 of the Canadian Constitution and in agreements between the federal government and institutions and governments of the Aboriginal Peoples and in tripartite and other agreements amongst federal, provincial and territorial and Aboriginal governments and peoples.
Provincial, territorial, federal governments and Aboriginal governments and peoples should seek to work together to resolve issues of resource sharing and management in a manner which will promote economic and social development with certainty and public acceptance without extinguishing or diminishing Aboriginal Rights, Treaty Rights and Aboriginal Title.
The re-balancing of Canadian federalism must always be undertaken and accomplished, in a manner which does not derogate from the Aboriginal and Treaty rights and jurisdictions of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. It also must not diminish, in any way, the fiduciary and Constitutional responsibilities of Canada and its capacity to honour its commitments and obligations to all Canadians, including the Aboriginal peoples. There must be a willingness to enter into partnerships rejecting federal off-loading to the provinces and to Aboriginal governments and peoples in favour, rather, of joint efforts to maximize best possible uses of available resources.
Canada is a federal system in which federal, provincial, territorial governments and Aboriginal governments and peoples work in partnership while respecting each other's jurisdictions, rights and responsibilities. Nothing in the Calgary communiqué can minimize or derogate from that principle or from existing Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
References in the Calgary communiqué to Aboriginal peoples and cultures as one part of Canada's "gift of diversity" must not negate the uniqueness of the place of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, a relationship which finds affirmation in the Treaties and in Part II of the Canadian Constitution.
The Aboriginal peoples of Canada, the first peoples to govern this land, enjoy their own status and rights, including the equality of Aboriginal men and women, and have the right to ensure the integrity of their societies and to strengthen their relationships with their lands. The role of Aboriginal peoples in the protection and development of their languages, cultures and identities is recognized and supported by Canadians.
All governments must be committed to promoting and strengthening identifiable social, political and economic developments which will lead to improved education, housing and infrastructure and to stronger and healthier Aboriginal communities and people, particularly the young and those with special needs.