May 24, 2010 - 20 year victory for the Wendat Nation before the Supreme Court of Canada

WENDAKE,QC, May 24 /CNW Telbec/ - This year the Huron-Wendat Nation celebrates its 20 year victory before the Supreme Court of Canada, confirming the contemporary legal scope of a treaty agreed between the Huron-Wendat Nation and the British authorities. The Nation decrees that May 24th will commemorate the Court's historical decision, and each year, Monday preceding May 25th will be considered a statutory public holiday.

On May 24, 1990, nine unanimous judges of the Supreme Court of Canada sided with the Huron-Wendat Nation, in the Sioui Case, concerning the right of their members to occupy the public lands on the basis of the national and collective rights and was validated by a treaty agreed upon September 5, 1760, in Longueil, on the eve of the capitulation of Montreal by Great-Britain. The judgement states that the Crown has the duty to honour the treaty, which confirms the freedom of traditions, trade and religion for the Huron-Wendat Nation.

This historical judgment supersedes certain provincial laws and gives precedence to the Nation's treaty rights. Today, this treaty continues to be a fundamental legal instrument to put forth the Huron-Wendat Nation's specific rights on their ancestral territory, the Nionwentsïo.

The Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation, Mr. Konrad Sioui, considers that this judgment marked jurisprudence and will influence future judgments. He indicates that "this judgment raised great pride for our members who are the holders and the guardians of these rights. They must now assert their rights and proceed in an organized manner, with justice, equity and wisdom. The Nation's Council assumes the responsibility to coordinate and put forth the rights recognized in the judgment, among others in terms of territory development. We will maintain and defend, concretely and daily, the existence of the treaty and the reality of the rights of our people. The Crown must respect and take into account the specific rights recognized by the Supreme Court".

The Huron-Wendat Nation considers the 1990 judgment to be a high profile case in the Canadian justice files.