AMC - Manitoba Roundtable on Consultation and Accommodation concludes with a commitment to improve government to government relationship

Province of Manitoba to take First Nations rights into consideration

 BROKENHEAD OJIBWAY NATION – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Grand Chief Ron Evans accepted an invitation from Minister Eric Robinson to co-host a one-day roundtable on consultation and accommodation to initiate dialogue with the Province of Manitoba and First Nations leadership.  The roundtable concluded with First Nations leaders clearly outlining their expectations on what consultation and accommodation means from a First Nations perspective. The Province committed to improving their relationship and communication. Both First Nations and the Province agreed to continue dialogue and move forward on next steps.

 Chief Derek Nepinak, Co-chair of the AMC Chiefs Committee on Consultation and Accommodation (CCCA), stressed that three key principles must be respected by the Province of Manitoba. “Consultation is part of the reconciliation of conflicting rights and interests. Consultation is based on existing and asserted rights of First Nations including the rights of self-determination and inherent jurisdiction. The process of consultation cannot be prescribed and must be flexible, to meet the needs and requirements of each First Nation,” he said.

 Chief Arlen Dumas, Co-chair of the AMC CCCA added that, “First Nations need to develop their own processes and protocols to ensure meaningful involvement.”  Chief Dumas continued by saying “a new approach is needed that supports the rights of self-determination and self-government, builds trust, and develops a government-to-government relationship that will work toward benefiting both First Nations and Manitobans.”

 Grand Chief Evans stated that, “This is the beginning of a new process which builds on a new relationship, respects and supports the implementation of Treaties, addresses past infringements and respects individual First Nations autonomy.”  Grand Chief Evans also stated that the Province needs to engage in discussions with First Nations on the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement, amending the Mining Act, resource benefit sharing, and working towards establishing jointly-developed dispute resolution mechanisms.”

 The roundtable concluded with First Nations applauding the Provincial government on endorsing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The co-hosts, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Province, agreed to move forward with a renewed relationship through dialogue, next steps and a commitment to the duty to consult and accommodate.