Mushkegowuk Council

32Annual Mamowihitowin

Resolution No. 2017-09-10

Attawapiskat First Nation

First Nation

Fort Albany

First Nation

Moose Cree

First Nation

Taykwa Tagamou

Chapleau Cree First Nation

Missanabie Cree First Nation

Chief Ignace Gull

Attawapiskat First Nation

Chief Leo Friday

Kashechewan First Nation

Certified copy of a resolution passed on September 21, 2017

September 21, 2017

Taykwa Tagamou Nation

Crown Attorney Attendance on Court Advance Days

WHEREAS, Court's in the Northern NAN Communities occur on an infrequent basis; and

WHEREAS, NAN citizens have limited opportunities to meet with their legal representatives; and

WHEREAS, "Court Advance Days" had been created in the past to allow an opportunity before court for NAN and Mushkegowuk citizens to meet with their Counsel, Duty Counsel, or the Crown Attorney before court day; and

WHEREAS, the office of the Crown Attorney had previously agreed to attend on Advance Days in the communities to ensure that NAN and Mushkegowuk citizens would have meaningful court appearance; and

WHEREAS, Advance Days are a critical opportunity for NAN and Mushkegowuk citizens to obtain basin information about their appearance in the justice system cannot function for our citizens with any real fairness; and

WHEREAS, it has recently become apparent that Crown Attorney's no longer intend to attend regularly on Advance Days;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Council of Chiefs, in assembly strongly urge that the Office of the Crown Attorney honour the past agreement and practice of assisting NAN and Mushkegowuk citizens with justice system information on Advance Days and continue to attend on Advance Days.