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Lubicon Lake Indian Nation representatives have been meeting with
federal government representatives sporadically over the last few
months. While these meetings were in theory proposed by Indian
Affairs Minister Tom Siddon to find some grounds for beginning
negotiations on a land rights settlement, they have been going
nowhere.
Frustrated with the lack of progress in negotiations, Albertans
created an independent Lubicon Settlement Commission which began
hearings June 1, 1992 in Edmonton. The Commission is made up of
members from churches, the business and academic communities,
organized labour, aboriginal people, and environment groups.
So far, Lubicon representatives and lawyers have testified before
the Commission. But both the federal and provincial governments
are refusing to send representatives. Indian Affairs Minister Tom
Siddon says he can't appear before the Commission because he
promised Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak that he wouldn't talk
publicly about negotiations. Ominayak has replied publicly that
no such agreement exists and that Siddon is free to appear at the
Commission.
ACTION: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Write Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and demand that Indian
Affairs Minister Tom Siddon be sent to testify at the Commission
(Prime Minister Mulroney, Langevin Block, 80 Wellington Street
2nd floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A2, Canada). If possible, please
send a copy of your letter to Friends of the Lubicon, 485 Ridelle
Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M6B 1K6, Canada.
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Alternatively, please download a copy of your letter to me at
web:eprobe and I'll forward it.
Thanks!
Margaret Barber
Probe International
web:eprobe