Mushkegowuk Council 19th Annual Assembly

Resolution No. 2004-09-17

Attawapiskat First Nation

Kashechewan First Nation

Fort Albany First Nation

Chief Mike Metatawabin Fort Albany First Nation

Xavier Hookimaw, Delegate Attawapiskat First Nation

Fort Albany First Nation -Funeral Program Funding

WHEREAS before the transfer of the Indian and Northern Affairs James Bay District Office to Sudbury, Ontario in the late 1980's, the federal government provided all burial services at no cost to the members of the Mushkegowuk Territory;

Moose Cree First Nation

New Post First Nation

Chapleau Cree First Nation

Adopted by Consensus

Certified copy of a Resolution passed on Sept. 16, 2004

Missanabie Cree First Nation

WHEREAS all burial services included but not limited to adequate storage, preparation of remains for burial, cremation, provIsIon of caskets, transportation of remains to final resting place, preparation of grave site for burial including travel expenses of immediate and extended members to attend the funeral ceremonies and services of the deceased;

WHEREAS the Department of Indian Affairs since the transfer of their James Bay District Office have discontinued the provision of all funeral related services including allocation of funding for continued provision of all funeral related services;

September 16, 2004

Cochrane, Ontario

WHEREAS the Department of Indian Affairs set a precedence in the provision of all related funeral services to Mushkegowuk First Nations prior to and leading up to the

Resolution No. 2004-09-17, cont.

late 1980's, but since the discontinuation of these services has resulted in undue hardships, further suffering and anguish to the Mushkegowuk people;

AND WHEREAS the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs has a fiduciary responsibility for the continued provision of these services;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Council request that the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs make the necessary funding allocations to establish a Funeral Program for all Mushkegowuk First Nation members as originally provided prior to the late 1980's.