Mushkegowuk Council 1 ath Annual Assembly

Resolution No. 2003-09-14

Attawapiskat First Nation

Kashechewan First Nation

Fort Albany First Nation

Moose Cree First Nation

New Post First Nation

Chapleau Cree First Nation

Missanabie Cree First Nation

Chief Mike Metatawabin Fort Albany First Nation

Chief Glenn Nolan Missanabie Cree First Nation

Adopted by Consensus

Certified copy of a Resolution passed on September 11, 2003

September 11, 2003

Chapleau, Ontario

MUSHKEGOWUK DEFENSE FUND

WHEREAS the Mushkegowuk Council has demonstrated leadership in undertaking certain court challenges to defend and protect First Nation's Treaty and Aboriginal Rights such as the Ontario Works Act and the Rupert's Land Case;

WHEREAS this Assembly recognizes the need and the value of a Regional Legal Defense Fund and to establish institutions such as a Regional Elders Council and a Regional Women's Group to protect, guide and direct the collective interest of all First Nations;

WHEREAS taking up legal challenges and establishing such institutions are costly for which financial resources are limited;

WHEREAS revenues to realize this could be derived through negotiations with private companies to fund regional interests to support the efforts of the region as a whole.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Assembly endorses the approach of First Nations tabling in their negotiations with private companies a contribution to a Mushkegowuk Defense Fund for the purposes of

Resolution No. 2003-09-14, Page 2

financing such activities that will strengthen the Mushkegowuk Council's efforts in pursuing its mandated mission.