Mushkegowuk Council Special Assembly

Resolution No. 2004-05-001

Attawapiskat First Nation

Kashechewan First Nation

Lindy Louttit, Delegate Chapleau Cree First Nation

Fort Albany First Nation

John McLeod, Delegate Missanabie Cree First Nation

Moose Cree First Nation

New Post First Nation

Chapleau Cree

First Nation

Adopted by Consensus

Missanabie Cree

First Nation

Certified copy of a Resolution

Passed on May 18, 2004

May 18, 2004

Attawapiskat, Ontario

CANADA'S 1869 PROMISE OF RUPERT'S LAND FIRST NATION PROTECTION: CONTINUATION OF LEGAL ACTION

WHEREAS in 1869 the Parliament of Canada requested that the Crown of England united the so-called Rupert's Land territories, which included our sacred homeland, with Canada;

AND WHEREAS in requesting the union of Rupert's Land with Canada, the Parliament of Canada solemnly resolved that "Upon the transference of the territories in question to the Canadian government, it will be the duty of the Government to make adequate provisions for the protection of the Indian tribes whose interests and well-being are involved in the transfer".

AND WHEREAS the British Crown united Rupert's Land with Canada, based on that solemn promise of the Canadian government;

AND WHEREAS since that solemn and profound protection undertaking of 1869 the Canadian government and the Ontario government have in fact taken numerous steps to undermine the most basic interests of Rupert's Land First Nations and the Mushkegowuk First Nations, including

Resolution No. 2004-05-001, cont.

our control of and benefit from our ancestral lands, and our rights and practices of self-government;

AND WHEREAS the Mushkegowuk Council and the Mushkegowuk First Nations are pursuing legal action to have the Canadian courts enforce Canada's fundamental protection promise of 1869;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Council continue to pursue its legal action to ask the Canadian courts to enforce Canada's fundamental promise of 1869, in which the Crown undertook to protect its interests of the First Nations of the former so-called Rupert's Land.