Dear Mr. Mertens:
Further to your letter of March 26, 1992, we are also very concerned
about Country Style Donuts being drawn into the Lubicon issue and
have been doing everything in our power to prevent this from
happening.
Since my February 7th letter, there has been some real progress.
Federal and Provincial government officials have been meeting
regularly with the Lubicon representatives since the middle of
February and we understand that negotiations are going well. In
fact, our sources indicate that the Lubicons are very encouraged with
the proposals tabled to date and that there is expectation of a
settlement sometime this year.
Given that these talks have been going so well and that there is a
good chance of an agreement, Daishowa is now seeking every method to
extend the moratorium on logging in the areas of concern to the
Lubicons.
We hope that this new position is satisfactory to your company and
that you will continue as one of our valued customers.
I look forward to your reply and in the meantime, will keep you
informed of any progress in this matter.
* * * * *
Attachment #2: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (6:30 A.M.),
Friday, May 15, 1992
CBC Radio: It's hard to tell where Lubicon land claim talks are
headed. Depending on who is doing the talking, there are different
versions of how negotiations are going. Last week, the Federal
Minister of Indian Affairs said they were making good progress. But
the Lubicons are saying there is no noticeable progress. A Band
advisor, Fred Lennarson, says Ottawa is playing a public relations
game.
Fred Lennarson, Lubicon Advisor: The only way that I can interpret
it -- given what's actually going on at the table -- is that Mr.
Siddon is making statements like this in response to people
criticizing him for not doing anything. Basically what he says is
"We're making progress, we're at the table, I can't talk about it, of
course, but everything's going fine, you needn't worry about."
CBC: Federal officials promised the Lubicon Cree a reserve in 1939.
The two sides are trying to work out details of a land claim
settlement. The latest round of secret talks started in mid-
February.
* * * * *
Attachment #3: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (7:30 A.M.),
Friday, May 15, 1992
CBC Radio: Confusion surrounds the status of land claim talks
between Ottawa and the Lubicon Cree Indians of northern Alberta.
Both sides have been holding private meetings since mid-February.
The Government says it's making "good progress". But the Indians
tell a different story. Byron Christopher explains.
Byron Christopher, CBC: Tom Siddon, the Federal Minister of Indian
Affairs, was in Alberta last week and he told reporters they were
making "good progress" in land claim talks with the Lubicon Indians.
An advisor with the Lubicon Indians does not agree. Fred Lennarson
says there is no noticeable progress. Even so, Lennarson says, the
Lubicons will continue to negotiate.
Fred Lennarson, Lubicon Advisor: The reasons the Lubicons are
staying at the table is because they're hoping progress will be made.
But so far what the Federal Government has put on the table is
essentially no different than what they put on the table in January
of 1989.
Christopher: The Lubicon Indians are involved in a land ownership
dispute with the Federal Government. The Lubicons, who have never
signed a Treaty, claim they own a big chunk of land east of Peace
River, land that is rich in natural resources. The Government
maintains the land belongs to the Crown. Byron Christopher,
Edmonton.
* * * * *
Attachment #4: Transcript of CKUA Radio News Broadcast (12:00 Noon)
Wednesday, May 20, 1992
CKUA Radio: A representative of the Lubicon Indians says it's
becoming clear that Ottawa's using the current round of negotiations
as a stalling tactic. Fred Lennarson says that in the months the
talks have been going on, Federal officials have still not given a
detailed response to Lubicon proposals and are sticking to their
"take-it-or-leave-it" offer of January 1989. Lennarson says it seems
Ottawa just wants to string out the process until the Lubicons give
up. But Lennarson says it's tough for the Lubicons to walk away from
the non-productive talks.
Fred Lennarson, Lubicon Advisor: It's a very tough position for the
Lubicons. Clearly there will be no settlement unless there are
negotiations. But my personal conclusion -- and I'll represent it as
such -- is that the Government is simply using the facade of
negotiations as a tactic in order to buy time while the Lubicon
society continues going down the drain.
CKUA: Lennarson says there will be some kind of development in the
next few days, with supporters of the Lubicons planning to take
action on their behalf to shake things up but he wouldn't elaborate.
* * * * *
Attachment #5: May 21, 1992, News Release by Ray Martin, Alberta New
Democrat Leader of the Opposition
LUBICON COMMISSION LAUNCHED
Ray Martin, MLA
Leader of the New Democrat Opposition
Ray Martin, leader of the Official Opposition, today announced a
Commission of Review of the negotiations between the federal,
provincial and the Lubicon Lake Indians.
"This is an independent, non-partisan Commission that I was asked to
organize by the Lubicons," Martin said. "Negotiations on this issue
have been stalled since 1989, so it is time to try to break the
impasse."
The 11 member Commission will assess the relative merits of the
latest proposals on the negotiating table.
"I do not expect this Commission to settle the Lubicon issue," Martin
said. "But I do expect the work of the Commission to provide a new
start for Negotiations."
Members of the Commission are participating on their own time and
with their own resources or the resources of their organizations.
-30-
For more information:
Ray Martin
422-9265
* * * * *
Attachment #6: May 21, 1992, News Release by the Lubicon Settlement
Commission of Review
The Lubicon Settlement Commission of Review met for the first time on
May 20, 1992.
"As a group of concerned and interested citizens of Canada, we are
looking for a way to bring this problem to an end," Father Jacques
Johnson, Provincial Superior of the Missionary Oblates, and co-chair
of the Commission, said at a press conference here.
"All members of the Commission have an interest or concern in this
situation and are bringing their diverse backgrounds to search for
ways to move the negotiating process along," Father Johnson said.
"We are looking for input from all participants in the process so
that sufficient good will can be generated to allow meaningful
negotiations to resume."
Father Johnson stressed that the commission is independent of any
political parties and is not prejudging motives of any of the parties
to the negotiations.
"Over the course of the next two months, we hope to inform the public
through open hearings with all the parties to the negotiations,"
Johnson said.
A list of the members of the Commission is attached.
30
For more information:
Father Jacques Johnson
488-4767
Jennifer Klimek
425-2041
LUBICON SETTLEMENT COMMISSION OF REVIEW TERMS OF REFERENCE
Whereas negotiations between the federal government and the Lubicon
Lake Indians have been stalled without progress since January 1989;
And whereas talks between the Lubicon Lake Indians and the provincial
government of Alberta collapsed in June of 1990;
And whereas the public interest requires an independent, objective
review of both the federal government proposal and the Lubicon Lake
Indian proposal for settlement of Lubicon Lake land rights;
And whereas the federal government's most recent offer of March 1992
has not advanced the negotiations;
And whereas because of the lack of progress Lubicon society continues
to deteriorate at an alarming rate;
Now therefore, this Commission of Review that has been convened will
have responsibility to investigate, compare, assess and report
publicly on:
1. The federal government's January 1989 offer as modified by
the public exchange between federal representatives and Lubicon
representatives in September 1989 and further modified by federal
proposals presented in March 1992 and any subsequent proposals.
2. The proposed Lubicon comprehensive draft settlement
agreement.
3. The relative merits of each proposal including the likelihood
that each proposal would allow the Lubicons to once again become
economically self-sufficient.
4. Any other matters pertaining to the proposed settlements
which the commissioners may deem necessary or relevant in
assessing the proposals.
The report of the Commission shall be completed and released before
the July 31, 1992.
Members
Jennifer Klimek, co-chair, environmental lawyer, partner in Karoles,
Mintz, Majeski, Edmonton. Ms. Klimek has practices law for seven
years; prior to this, she nursed for seven years in Alberta and
Northwest Territories.
Father Jacques Johnson, o.m.i., co-chair, Provincial Superior of
Missionary Oblates, Grandin Province, Edmonton. Missionary among
Northern Alberta native peoples, Provincial Superior of 145
missionaries working in Alberta and Northwest Territories.
Wilfred Barranoik, president and general manager Northtown Paint and
Wallcoverings Centres, past president Alberta Chamber of Commerce,
Edmonton.
Michael Asch, professor of anthropology, University of Alberta.
Professor Asch worked on the Dene claim in Northwest Territories and
testified before the MacKenzie Valley Pipeline Commission. Author of
Home and Native Land. Edmonton.
Regena Crowchild, president, Indian Association of Alberta, member of
the Sarcee Nation, resides at Enoch Reserve.
Menno Wiebe, Director: Native Concerns, Mennonite Central Committee
(Canada), Winnipeg. Mr. Wiebe is a member of the Aboriginal Rights
Council (Project North).
Don Aitken, president, Alberta Federation of Labour, Edmonton.
Normand Boucher, president, Boucher Bros. Lumber Ltd., Nampa. The
Boucher Brother's mill has operated for 35 years in the Peace
country.
Theresa McBean, petroleum industry consulting engineer, Calgary. Ms.
McBean's engineering experience includes 14 years with majors, minors
and consulting engineers both domestically and internationally. She
is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists
and Geophysicists of Alberta.
Colleen McCrory, Valhalla Society, New Denver, British Columbia. Ms.
McCrory has worked at the grassroots level, organizing and educating
the public on conservation issues for 17 years. Recipient of the
Governor General's Award, 1983, Equinox Award, 1989, Global 500 Award
and the Goldman Environmental Prize (1992), which is awarded to one
individual on each continent.
Ms. McCrory is sharing her duties as co-commissioner with:
Sandy Day, owner earthcycle paper corp., co-owner, You Make a
Difference Company, High River. Member of advisory board, Canada
Trust's "Friends of the Environment Foundation", founding member,
Foothills Recycling Society and Recycling Council of Alberta.
John G. MacMillan, President, MacMillan Construction Northern Ltd.,
Peace River. Mr. MacMillan is a third generation resident of the
Peace Country. His company has provided seismic and oilfield
construction services for 43 years.
* * * * *
Attachment #7: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (5:30 P.M.)
Thursday, May 21, 1992
Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: The Alberta New Democrats have announced
the formation of a Commission to help settle the land claim by the
Lubicon Indians. The 11 member Commission includes the President of
the Indian Association of Alberta, the head of the Alberta Federation
of Labour, the President of a sawmill and an engineer with the oil
industry. The Commission says it will hold public hearings over the
next two months before writing a report.
* * * * *
Attachment #8: Transcript of CFRN TV News Broadcast (6:00 P.M.)
Thursday, May 21, 1992
Daryl McIntyre, CFRN: There's another attempt to resolve the
decades-old impasse between the Lubicon Indians of northern Alberta
and the Federal Government. Land claim negotiations have stalled and
mediation efforts by the Alberta Government have made little headway.
That's why the Lubicons have asked Opposition Leader Ray Martin to
form an independent commission to assess the various proposals on the
table. The New Democrats formed the 11-member panel but Martin says
that this group will be strictly non-partisan.
The Hon. Ray Martin, Leader, Official Opposition, Alberta: In fact
there're people from different political parties on this Commission,
and this is the last I will have to do with the Commission. They
will be on their own. I want to stress they're doing it on their own
time and their own resources.
McIntyre: The panel is made up of academics, labour and business
leaders, and a Catholic missionary. They plan to complete the report
on the state of land claim negotiations by the end of July.
* * * * *
Attachment #9: May 22, 1992, Edmonton Journal
AD HOC PANEL STUDIES LUBICON LAND DISPUTE
Committee hopes to spur stalled talks
Jack Danylchuk
Journal Staff Writer
Edmonton
An unofficial committee drawn from the ranks of the clergy,
academics, lawyers, labor leaders, environmentalists and loggers has
entered the Lubicon Cree land claim dispute.
Introduced at a news conference Thursday by New Democrat leader Ray
Martin, the 12-member panel is to report by July 31 on its assessment
of government offers and Lubicon demands.
"Our goal is to bring both sides together on some common ground,"
said panel member Don Aitken, Alberta Federation of Labour president.
Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak welcomed the creation of the committee
and said the band will present its position at public sessions, but
it is not yet clear if the governments of Ottawa and Alberta will
participate.
Ominayak, federal Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon and Dick Fowler,
Alberta minister responsible for native affairs, revived land claim
negotiations last November.
A spokesman for Fowler's office said that two months ago the talks
were turned over to technical advisers, who are assessing the Lubicon
demand -- valued at $170 million.
Ottawa's last offer was $45 million and 246 square km., but Siddon
has said that offer might be reduced because of a $47.5 million
settlement last year with the Woodland Cree, whose band list includes
some former Lubicons.
A potential settlement with the Loon River Cree, another northern
band with some former Lubicon members, could also affect the 1989
offer to the Lubicon.
Federal and provincial officials met for the first time earlier this
week with the Loon River band, but a settlement of their claim is at
least two years away.
Although some committee members have close ties to the New Democrats,
Martin said "I want to stress that this is an independent, non-
partisan commission that I was asked to organize by the Lubicon
people to break the impasse."
Father Jacques Johnson, provincial superior of the missionary
Oblates, and co-chair of the commission, said "We have to bring about
a conclusion to this situation of Lubicons living in a state of
growing deterioration because of a lack of just settlement."
"There is very strong public support for any action that will lead to
a resolution," said commissioner Menno Wiebe, a member of the
Mennonite Central Committee.
Other members of the panel are Edmonton lawyer Jennifer Klimek;
William Barranoik, a past president of the Alberta Chamber of
Commerce; Michael Asch, a University of Alberta anthropologist;
Regena Crowchild, president of the Indian Association of Alberta;
Normand Boucher, Nampa logging company owner; Theresa McBean, a
Calgary engineer; environmentalists Colleen McCrory and Sandy Day;
and John MacMillan, a Peace River oil-field construction company
owner.
* * * * *
Attachment #10: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (6:30 A.M.)
Friday, May 22, 1992
Phil Henry, CBC: The Lubicon Indians of northern Alberta are keeping
their fingers crossed that a new Commission announced yesterday will
help get their land claim settled. Provincial New Democrats set up
the Commission which plans to hold public hearings over the next two
months then make recommendations on how to settle the dispute. Some
members of the Commission are in the oil business and logging. The
Chief of the Lubicon Indians says that doesn't bother him. Bernard
Ominayak says because industry is now in the disputed territory, it
should be part of the solution.
Chief Bernard Ominayak, Lubicon Lake Indian Nation: It's in the best
interests of all people concerned -- especially in northern Alberta
where a lot of leases have been issued by the Alberta Government to
the logging companies and also to oil companies.
Henry: The Lubicon Cree of northern Alberta have been trying to get
a reserve since 1939.
* * * * *
Attachment #11: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (4:30 P.M.)
Friday, May 22, 1992
Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: The Federal Government is refusing to say
anything about a Commission set up by the Alberta New Democrats to
try and settle the Lubicon land claim. The 12-member group was
announced yesterday. It plans to make recommendations to the Federal
and Provincial Governments. Wayne Hanna with Indian and Northern
Affairs won't comment on the Commission. He says the Department
doesn't want to jeopardize sensitive discussions taking place now.
Federal and Provincial officials have been negotiating with Band
lawyers since mid-February.
* * * * *
Attachment #12: May 28, 1992, Edmonton Sun
LAND CLAIM DELAYS 'FRUSTRATE' LUBICONS
Chief accuses federal, provincial governments of 'fooling around'
By David Bray
Staff Writer
The federal and Alberta governments are "fooling around" in efforts
to settle the 50-year-old Lubicon Lake band land claims, says Lubicon
Chief Bernard Ominayak.
"It's getting pretty frustrating," Ominayak said in Edmonton
yesterday. "We can't spend any more time sitting around having
coffee."
He was speaking to reporters after joining an Alberta Federation of
Labour rally at the legislature.
About 300 union, student, seniors and aboriginal representatives took
part in the rally as part of the AFL's annual convention.
Ominayak told reporters government officials are to blame for the
lack of progress in talks over the band's claim to land centered on
Little Buffalo, 345 km northwest of Edmonton.
Talks with Ottawa have been stalled since 1989. Negotiations with
Alberta collapsed in June 1990.
The federal government has offered the Lubicon Cree $45 million and
246 sq. km of territory. The band wants $167 million, a demand
Ottawa has said is too high.
Premier Don Getty, a strong backer of the Lubicons, has said the
federal offer isn't enough to ensure the 500-member band's future
economic development.
Ominayak said yesterday federal and provincial ministers have agreed
on a process to settle the land claim but nothing is happening.
"They turned it over to their people and their people do everything
in their power to take it apart," he said.
"Either they put somebody in charge who can do the job or the
minister himself does it. Any more of this fooling around or take-
it-or-leave-it offers aren't going to go (anywhere)."
Ominayak said he's still optimistic a settlement can be worked out on
the band's claim which dates back to 1939.
Alberta New Democrats launched an 11-member commission last week to
study the talks in a bid to get negotiations moving. A report is
expected by July 31.
Alberta's native affairs minister Dick Fowler wasn't available for
comment yesterday.
* * * * *
Attachment #13: May 31, 1992, Edmonton Sunday Sun
LUBICON HEARINGS BEGIN
Lubicon Lake band chief Bernard Ominayak is slated to head a parade
of witnesses tomorrow as public hearings begin in Edmonton on the
band's 50-year-old land claims.
The hearings, called by the Lubicon Settlement Commission of Review,
are scheduled to run tomorrow and Tuesday at St. Joseph's Parish
Hall, 11355 Jasper Avenue.
Alberta New Democrat leader Ray Martin set up the committee this
month to assess the Lubicon claims in a bid to get the stalled
negotiations moving again. The commission is expected to release its
report by July 31.
The 500-member band last year rejected a federal government of $45
million and 246 sq. km of land centred on Little Buffalo, about 345
km northwest of Edmonton. The band is seeking $167 million, a demand
Ottawa has said is excessive. Talks with Ottawa have been stalled
since 1989. Negotiations with Alberta collapsed in 1990.
* * * * *
Attachment #14: Transcript of CFRN Television News Broadcast (11:30
P.M.) Monday, June 01, 1992
Chris O'Brien, CFRN: The land claim dispute between Alberta's
Lubicon Indian Band and the federal and provincial governments moved
one step closer to being resolved today. The Lubicon claim is the
subject of a special Commission hearing this week in Edmonton.
Earlier today the Commission heard the Natives' concerns. Next
they'll hear officials from both levels of government. A final
report containing various recommendations is expected by the end of
next month.
* * * * *
Attachment #15: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (6:30 A.M.)
Tuesday, June 2, 1992
Phil Henry, CBC: A new Commission has begun looking into the Lubicon
Lake Indian land claim dispute. The Commission was set up by
Alberta's New Democrats last month. It's intended to be a non-
partisan citizens group which will make recommendations on how to
bring the sides together. The Lubicon Cree of northern Alberta have
been trying to settle their land claim for more than 50 years.
Yesterday the Commission began public hearings in Edmonton, but the
Lubicons were the only ones there to answer questions. Jennifer
Klimek, a co-chair of the Commission, says her job will be harder if
Ottawa doesn't take part in the process.
Jennifer Klimek, Commission Member: We'll have to look at what
information we have and assess it in light of the written proposals.
It would certainly be beneficial to hear their explanation of it, to
be able to ask them why and how come these things are in there. But
if they don't show up I guess we won't have that opportunity.
Henry: Klimek says the Commission has invited the federal government
to take part in the hearings but so far there's been no response from
Ottawa.
* * * * *
Attachment #16: June 02, 1992, Edmonton Journal
LUBICONS WON'T ACCEPT 'NEW ZOO'
Ian Mulgrew
Journal Staff Writer
Edmonton
The Lubicon Cree are being offered "a new zoo" by the federal
government to give up their land claim, says spokesmen for the band.
Chief Bernard Ominayak told an unofficial commission trying to break
the deadlock in the land claims negotiation that no progress has been
made since talks began nearly four years ago.
"They're stalling and stalling and stalling," Ominayak told the 12-
member commission created by the Alberta New Democrats.
"In the meantime, they're stealing and stealing and stealing.
They're stealing our resources 24-hours a day."
Oil revenues from production in the area has been estimated at $8
billion, he said. "With the billions of dollars that have been
extracted from our traditional territory, there has not been one red
cent come to the community other than welfare."
Although commission members describe themselves as non-partisan and
self-supporting -- they're paying their own way -- the members are
sympathetic to the Lubicon cause.
Co-chairman Jennifer Klimek said that in spite of the panel's
leanings, she hoped people wouldn't dismiss the report when it's
released.
The federal and provincial governments have been invited to appear
before the commission later this month but have not yet replied.
The eight commissions Monday at the first public meeting, held in the
basement of St. Joseph's Basilica, outnumbered spectators if the
media weren't counted.
Ominayak, flanked by his advisers (lawyer Bob Sachs and consultant
Fred Lennarson), said the ban claims about 10,000 square km between
the towns of Red Earth and Peace River. It also wants compensation
of about $170 million.
Ottawa has made a take-it-or-leave-it offer of $45 million and 246
square km.
"This is a proposal that in my judgment, and the judgment of every
other person I know who's looked at it closely, would be tantamount
to building a zoo for the Lubicons -- a new zoo -- and then feeding
them on welfare," Lennarson said. "That's the difference."
* * * * *
Attachment #17: June 03, 1992, Edmonton Journal
LUBICONS FED UP WITH CLOSED-DOOR LAND-CLAIM TALKS
Karen Hawthorne
Journal Staff Writer
Edmonton
The Lubicon Cree say they are fed up with playing politics and
anxious to make all settlement negotiations public.
Negotiations don't seem to work behind closed doors, Chief Bernard
Ominayak told an unofficial commission Tuesday.
The commission, set up by the Alberta New Democrats to break the
four-year deadlock over land claim talks with Ottawa, is holding
hearings in the basement of St. Joseph's Basilica.
"We're not any closer to a settlement than we were in the past,"
Ominayak said, "but nevertheless we are here."
The Lubicon reject the federal government's take-it-or-leave-it offer
of $45 million and 246 sq. km of land. They want...$170 million in
compensation for hardships on traditional native lifestyles wrought
by land developers and oil production.
"We've been compromising and compromising and waiting and waiting for
many years for an agreement," Ominayak told the 12-member commission,
which describes itself as non-partisan but sympathetic toward the
Lubicon cause.
"(The government) doesn't like to see native people stand up and
fight."
Even if the Lubicon accepted the settlement "it would take another
five years of red tape before any money came through," said
Ominayak's adviser Fred Lennarson.
Commission member Menno Wiebe says it is important to go public with
such information.
"The fact that the government deprives the public of the content of
negotiations questions the democratic system," said Wiebe, a member
of the Mennonite Central Committee.
Commission co-chairman Jennifer Klimek said the report, which will
assess government offers and Lubicon demands, is due by the end of
July.
* * * * *
Attachment #18: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (6:30 A.M.)
Wednesday, June 3, 1992
Phil Henry, CBC: A lawyer for the Lubicon Indians says the Federal
Government wants to muzzle the Lubicon Chief, Bernard Ominayak. Bob
Sachs made the comment at a public hearing in Edmonton yesterday. A
citizens' commission is trying to find ways to settle the Lubicon
land claim dispute. Sachs told the Commission he met with Harry
Swain, a Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs last week. He says Swain
told him the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs didn't like comments
Chief Ominayak had made about the slow pace of land claim
negotiations. And Sachs says he was told Ominayak had better stop
commenting publicly on the talks.
Bob Sachs, Lubicon lawyer: Apparently the Minister didn't
particularly like those comments and so Mr. Swain delivered the
message that unless the Chief kept quiet they were going to pull away
from negotiations.
Henry: Sachs says the government may already have broken off
negotiations which resumed in February, but he says Ominayak will not
stop speaking out about the Lubicon situation. The Lubicon Cree of
northern Alberta have been trying to settle their land claim for more
than 50 years.
* * * * *
Attachment #19: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (4:30 P.M.)
Wednesday, June 3, 1992
Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: A Federal official is denying he said
Chief Bernard Ominayak should stop talking to reporters about how
land claim talks are going. Yesterday the lawyer for the Lubicon
Cree reported that Harry Swain, the Deputy Minister of Indian
Affairs, told him "Ominayak had better keep quiet". Bob Sachs said
that if Ominayak didn't keep quiet, the government would "pull the
plug" on talks. Sachs says the comments were made on Friday. Swain
couldn't be reached for a response, but a department spokesperson
says Swain "categorically denies" making the comments. Wayne Hanna
also says the government will not negotiate through the media. Bob
Sachs stands by his account. He says Swain made the threat not once,
but several times during their discussion.
* * * * *
Attachment #20: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (5:30 P.M.)
Wednesday, June 3, 1992
Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: A Federal official denies he said Chief
Bernard Ominayak should keep quiet about how land claim talks are
going. Ottawa and the Lubicon Cree Indians have been negotiating
since February. Yesterday a Band lawyer accused the official of
trying to muzzle Chief Ominayak. Byron Christopher reports.
Byron Christopher, CBC News: It was Bob Sachs, the lawyer for the
Lubicon Nation, who made the allegation. He said Harry Swain, the
Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs, warned him last week that Bernard
Ominayak better keep quiet about how talks were going. Ominayak had
told reporters that talks were going nowhere. His remark followed a
comment by the Indian Affairs Minister to reporters that talks were
going great. According to Bob Sachs, Swain threatened to "pull the
plug" on negotiations if Ominayak continued to speak out. I could
not reach Harry Swain, but the head of the Department's
Communications Branch in Alberta, Wayne Hanna, said Swain
categorically denies making those comments. Hanna also had this to
say.
Wayne Hanna, Alberta Indian Affairs Communications Director: Canada
doesn't want to pull out of the negotiations and is committed to
negotiating a settlement and building a new community. But Canada
will not negotiate in the media.
Christopher: Bob Sachs is sticking to his story about the threats
allegedly made by Swain. He said he and another man at the meeting
made notes on what was said.
Bob Sachs, Lubicon Advisor: It was mentioned on more than one
occasion in various forms including phrases such as "we'll pull the
plug" and phrases like "you can't suck and blow at the same time".
Christopher: The federal government maintains the talks are still
on. Byron Christopher, CBC News, Edmonton.
* * * * *
Attachment #21: June 1992 Alberta Native News Editorial by Dale
Stelter
WHEN WILL JUSTICE BE DELIVERED TO THE LUBICON?
As Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak, accompanied by several Lubicon
members and two band advisers, spoke to the Lubicon Settlement
Commission of Review, one question kept going through my mind.
How many times does this story of the decades of destruction, deceit
and betrayal that have been perpetrated upon the Lubicon have to be
told? How many times, before the federal and provincial governments
finally find the moral fibre and honour necessary to give the Lubicon
a proper and just settlement? As has been the case on nearly every
other occasion that I have heard Chief Ominayak speak, you could look
around and see the shocked looks on the faces of many of the people
in the audience.
At the same time, there are many parts of the Lubicon story that, no
matter how many times I hear or come across them, always leave me
feeling as if I've been kicked hard right in the stomach. And it
seems that there are always some additional components of the story
to learn about.
The courage and determination that the people this small band of
northern Cree have shown, in the face of staggering and seemingly
impossible obstacles and odds, literally defies description. No
matter how many atrocities that either level of government and the
omnivorous resource companies have piled upon the Lubicon, they have
survived and they're still here.
Similarly, in comparison to the courage and integrity of the soft-
spoken Chief Ominayak, many so-called leaders in non-Native society
should be hanging their heads in glaring, abject shame.
The question must also be asked yet again as to what kind of a
society this is, in which great numbers of people would not only
allow the disgraceful and despicable treatment which the Lubicon --
and Natives across the country -- have had to endure, but would also
turn their backs upon the whole thing.
And while large numbers of people define a life crisis in terms of
choosing what kind of designer clothing to buy, and try to instantly
improve the quality of their life by buying a more expensive car, the
plight and the agony of the Lubicon continue.
Even in the face of such rampant self-interest and hopeless apathy,
the Lubicon, with characteristic tenacity, are steadily reaching more
and more people across the country and around the world, and the list
of supporters continues to inexorably grow. Hopefully, the day is
not far in the future when the numbers of such supporters can help
the Lubicon turn back the tide represented by morally shipwrecked
governments, and by the rotted-out values of the chronic clothes-and-
car-buyers who help elect them.
* * * * *
Attachment #22: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (5:30 P.M.)
Thursday, June 04, 1992
Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: Members of an Ottawa-based group that
advocates justice for Native people plans to visit the Lubicon Cree
Indians next week. Seven members of the Aboriginal Rights Coalition
plan to be in Little Buffalo on June 11th. The group is inter-
denominational. People travelling to Little Buffalo include Roman
Catholics, Mennonites and Anglican. A delegation from the same group
was in the area in 1984 on a "fact-finding" visit. A group spokesman
says they want to see what has happened in 8 years and prepare a
report for the World Council of Churches in Geneva. During its 1984
visit, the aboriginal rights coalition criticized the federal
government for not doing enough to protect the Indians. It also
supported a claim by the World Council of Churches that the Lubicons
were victims of "cultural genocide."
* * * * *
Attachment #23: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (7:30 A.M.)
Friday, June 5, 1992
Phil Henry, CBC News: Church leaders who visited northwestern
Alberta in 1984 to assess the Lubicon Indian situation are planning a
return visit. Members of the Ottawa-based church group, the
Aboriginal Rights Coalition, say they'll visit Little Buffalo on June
11th. Eight years ago after a visit to the Lubicons, the group
criticized the federal government for not doing enough to protect the
Cree. A group spokesperson says they want to see what has happened
since then. Lorna Schwartzentruber says after the visit the group
will file a report with the Canadian Council of Churches and the
World Council of Churches.
* * * * *
Attachment #24: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (8:30 A.M.)
Friday, June 5, 1992
Phil Henry, CBC News: CBC News has learned that the Minister of
Indian Affairs is flying to northern Alberta this morning to talk
with the Chief of the Lubicon Indians. Tom Siddon will be meeting
Chief Bernard Ominayak at noon. The meeting will be in Little
Buffalo about 100 kilometres east of Peace River. It's the first
time the federal Minister of Indian Affairs has visited the Cree
settlement. He'll be accompanied by Dick Fowler, the Provincial
Minister responsible for Natives. Relations between the federal
government and the Lubicons have been strained lately. Lubicon
negotiators have accused Ottawa of trying to muzzle Chief Ominayak
with threats. They say Ottawa told them that the Chief shouldn't
talk to reporters about the land claim negotiations. The Lubicons
have been trying to get a reserve for more than 50 years.
* * * * *
Attachment #25: Transcript of CKUA Radio News Broadcast (12:00 Noon)
Friday, June 5, 1992
CKUA: Federal Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon is meeting today in
Little Buffalo with Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak. This is the
first time a federal Indian Affairs Minister has visited the Lubicon
settlement. Lubicon advisor Fred Lennarson said Siddon indicated he
wants to get the on-going land claim negotiations back on track.
Lennarson says he has no idea whether anything new will come out of
the meeting. However, Lennarson says this likely won't be a closed
session as in the past, because Ominayak has been invited to bring
along anyone he wants.
Fred Lennarson, Lubicon Advisor: I won't be surprised if this
meeting is an open meeting. That's been the Lubicon position all
along. They would rather do all of this business openly here and in
Ottawa and in Edmonton and any place else because when these things
happen behind closed doors we then get all kinds of statements made
by government officials which bear little relationship to the truth.
So we'd rather have it all happen in the open so people can see for
themselves what's going on.
CKUA: The Alberta Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, Dick
Fowler, will also be at today's meeting. The Lubicon have been
trying to get a reserve for more than 50 years.
* * * * *
Attachment #26: Transcript of CFRN TV News Broadcast (11:30 P.M.)
Friday, June 5, 1992
Chris O'Brien, CFRN: Negotiations continued today on a controversial
land claim dispute involving Alberta's Lubicon Indian Band. Federal
Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon says he and his provincial
counterpart explored a variety of issues today with Lubicon Band
leader Bernard Ominayak. Siddon became the first federal Minister to
visit the Little Buffalo reserve in northern Alberta. He promised
not to prolong the land claim dispute any further. The Lubicons
first applied for a land and cash settlement over 50 years ago.
* * * * *
Attachment #27: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (12:00 Noon)
Friday, June 5, 1992
Phil Henry, CBC News: The federal Minister of Indian Affairs is on
his way to northern Alberta to meet with the Chief of the Lubicon
Indian Band. The Band and Ottawa are trying to work out a land claim
agreement. Our reporter Byron Christopher is following the story in
Peace River.
Byron, why is this meeting important?
Byron Christopher, CBC News, Peace River: Land claim talks between
the Lubicon Cree and the federal government are probably at the make-
it-or-break-it point. As you know the two sides resumed negotiations
in Edmonton around mid-February. These talks were behind closed
doors, as they say. But this week on Tuesday the doors were pried
open a bit when the lawyer for the Lubicons, Bob Sachs, dropped a
bombshell at a public meeting in Edmonton. Sachs told people that
federal officials threatened Chief Bernard Ominayak that they'd "pull
the plug" as they put it on land claim talks if Ominayak didn't stop
talking to reporters about how talks were going. Ominayak and
advisor Fred Lennarson, for that matter, have been telling reporters
that talks are not going too well. Tom Siddon, the Indian Affairs
Minister, has been saying the opposite. He's been saying that talks
are going great. So that's part of the problem. But inside sources
tell me that Tom Siddon is making a more determined effort than
previous Crown Ministers in getting the Lubicon land claim settled.
Remember this dispute has dragged on since 1939. The importance and
the urgency of this meeting is underscored by the fact that a.) Tom
Siddon asked for the meeting; b.) he put the call in yesterday to the
Band and flew out today; and c.) he's willing to meet Chief Bernard
Ominayak on Ominayak's turf and no Indian Affairs Minister has done
that before.
Henry: CBC reporter Byron Christopher.
* * * * *
Attachment #28: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (4:30 P.M.)
Friday, June 5, 1992
CBC: Krysia Jarmicka is here with the latest in regional and local
news. Krysia, the news that Tom Siddon had gone up to meet with
Chief Bernard Ominayak sort of got people anticipating that maybe
there has been a settlement. Is there any word yet?
Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: Well, there's no settlement to the
Lubicon land claim in spite of those high level talks in northern
Alberta this afternoon. Tom Siddon, Minister of Indian Affairs, met
for more than an hour with Chief Bernard Ominayak and 30 other
members of the Lubicon Band. Dick Fowler, the provincial Minister
Responsible for Natives was also there. The meeting took place in a
machine shed at Little Buffalo, one hundred kilometres east of Peace
River. Siddon wouldn't say how much progress was made today but he
did say the trip was worth it.
Tom Siddon, Federal Minister of Indian Affairs: I'm hopeful that by
coming here and by listening to the people, the Elders and also
having them have an opportunity to hear of the approach that we're
taking that I feel optimistic. I'm always optimistic that the
solution can be found...
Jarmicka: Ominayak said little was accomplished. He said he hoped
the government would seriously consider an offer he made more than 6
months ago. He says Ottawa agreed today to study the offer. It's
not known when the two sides will meet again.