Mailing address:
3536 - 106 Street
Edmonton, AB T6J 1A4
403-436-5652
FAX: 403-437-0719
November 3, 1991
Enclosed for your information is a copy of a letter on the Lubicon
situation to the Federal Minister responsible for Constitutional Affairs
from the Provincial Superior of the Missionary Oblates.
* * * * *
October 04, 1991, letter to Joe Clark, Minister for Constitutional Affairs,
from Jacques Johnson O.M.I., Provincial Superior, Missionary Oblates
Dear Honorable Minister Joe Clark,
I'm writing to you as Provincial Superior of the Missionary Oblates of
Grandin Province (Alberta and NWT) to express grave concerns I have
regarding the present situation of the Lubicon Indians in Northern Alberta
and the possible repercussions this deteriorating situation may have on the
future of our country. I feel morally obligated to write to you also
because of the Oblate Missionaries' long standing commitment to the
Aboriginal peoples. Having been a missionary in Northern Alberta myself
for several years and having become well acquainted with the Lubicons and
their plight I feel that I must support their just claims. I also feel
that I must speak as a concerned citizen who doesn't want your efforts to
keep this country together to fail.
To put it simply, with the Lubicon situation we are sitting on a powder
keg. The Federal Government's policies of these last few years have forced
the Lubicons into a corner. The negotiations are stalled because of a
"take it or leave it approach" by Federal negotiators. The Lubicon
leadership cannot responsibly "take it". It would be condemning their
people to a life of welfare for the foreseeable future. Indeed, since the
petroleum industry has begun exploiting their land for some ten years now,
the Lubicons saw their way of life deteriorate so that presently an
estimated 95% of that population cannot survive without Government
handouts.
Meanwhile the Provincial Government is leasing out to Daishowa or its
subsidiaries the Lubicons' unceded land. These forests, 4,000 square miles
in size, have traditionally been the bread and butter of the Lubicons
through hunting, fishing and trapping. It seems clear that this fall
Daishowa or its subsidiaries will begin clear-cutting these forests. The
Lubicons have no options but to defend by whatever means at their disposal
what is rightfully theirs through aboriginal rights. They have indicated
that they will resort to violent means if they have to and their resolve is
firm. They feel that if the trees go they are finished as a people. The
leadership of the Lubicons have their backs against the wall. They have no
options left. Indeed all the options, Mr. Clark, are on the side of the
Government.
Now is the moment for the Government to do the honorable thing and get back
to the negotiating table. Fifty-two years of frustrating waiting is
unacceptable and demeaning. Isn't it ironic that on the eve of entering
into the most important negotiations this country has ever known one small
band is still waiting for a negotiated and fair treatment from the
Government. If the Lubicons are forced to defend their land with violent
means because the Government has not acted responsibly how do you think the
Aboriginal leaders of this country who are not well disposed toward your
constitutional package are going to react to the desperate measures of this
small but determined band? There will be such a hue and cry among the
Aboriginal peoples right across the country that important constitutional
negotiations may well be side-tracked because of a new crisis that nobody
wants or needs.
You have done much in recent months to bring about hope in this nation.
Are you willing to see all this good will jeopardized by the inertia, self-
righteousness and complacency of people in the Department of Indian
Affairs?
To set up a Royal Commission dealing with centuries of injustice suffered
by the Aboriginal Peoples while continuing to oppress this courageous group
of Cree Indians in Alberta does not bode well for the success of the
Commission. You might at least place the Lubicons on the fast track to
resolve this long-standing issue of land claims. How can the Canadian
Government with any degree of credibility on one hand ask the Royal
Commission to make concrete recommendations for a land base for Aboriginal
Peoples focussing on economics, spiritual attachment and environmental
protection (of. terms of reference), and at the same time proceed with the
destruction of Lubicon land and the Lubicon people?
Too much is at stake here: 1. the future of a desperate band of Indian
people with their backs against the wall; 2. the promising proposals
tabled by your government for a new Canada; and 3. the image of Canada
abroad.
Mr. Clark, this is not a time for more confrontation or violence; it is a
time rather for the healing of the land. You are able to make a difference
in this issue. You have the vision and the clout to resolve this long-
festering sore. Now is the time to act. I hope and pray that you will
have the courage needed to resolve this crisis. If you do not, then there
is no hope for the Lubicons nor much hope left for us.
Sincerely yours,
Jacques Johnson