MUSHKEGOWUK.CA

Resolution Number: 2019-10-25Ruperts Land Protection Pledge
2019-10-25 EXCERPT:

Attawapiskat First Nation

Kashechewan First Nation

Fort Albany First Nation

Moose Cree First Nation

Taykwa Tagamou Nation

Chapleau Cree First Nation

Missanabie Cree First Nation

34th Annual Mamowihitowin

Deputy Chief Les Nolan, Proxy

Missinabie Cree First Nation

Chief Mervin Cheechoo

Moose Cree First Nation

Certified copy of a resolution passed on October 25th , 2019

Resolution No. 2019-10-25

Rupert's Land Protection Pledge

WHEREAS We are· the llliliwuk / lnniniwuk; We are an ancient people united by language, culture, history, tradition, geography, and government; We are the first people to inhabit, govern, and hold sacred these lands and waters, the vast region that we call our homeland; We don't own the land, and we never did. We were placed here by our Creator to look after it. It is ours to look after and use. It is ours to leave to future generations; and

WHEREAS Despite knowing that the Mushkegowuk people lived in the area that the early settlers/explorers called Rupert's Land, Her Majesty signs "The Rupert's Land Order" which transferred our Homelands to the control of Canada in June 1870; and

WHEREAS After conducting extensive research and consultations, the Mushkegowuk Council ono behalf of the Mushkegowuk First Nations filed a statement of claim (lawsuit) in the Ontario Supreme Court of Justice in 2003

October 25, 2019

Attawapiskat First Nation

WHEREAS, the lawsuit asks the Court to rule that a number of federal and provincial laws violate a constitutional commitment made by Canada in the 1870 Ruperts Land Order, to protect the interests and well-being of Aboriginal peoples in the region

WHEREAS the Lawsuit has been dormant since 2005 and given the significant and strong legal grounds the Rupert's Land Order Protection Pledge presents, the Mushkegowuk Council of Chiefs have recently reopened the file and are examining the option of re­submitting the statement of claim in court; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Mamowihitown of the Omushkegowuk directs the office of the Grand Chief to conduct more engagement sessions on the Rupert's Land Protection Pledge Lawsuit with the Mushkegowuk First Nations leadership and take action as directed by the engagement sessions.

MUSHKEGOWUK

COUNCIL

MISSION

STATEMENT

We respond to, and carry out, the collective will of the Omushkego Nation. We foster and provide accountable, responsible political leadership. We strive for excellence in government services. We help improve the quality of life for our people, by providing accessible, equitable, and high quality support and advisory services to our First Nations in areas including governance, political, spiritual, social and economic development, health, language and culture, environment, technical services and education.