Lubicon Negotiation Mailout - Part Two Related correspondence and media coverage: Attachment #1: February 13, 1992, letter from Tom Siddon to Ms. Elaine Bishop, Chairperson, Aboriginal Rights Coalition (Project North) Dear Ms. Bishop: This is in response to your open letter of December 13, 1991, concerning the Lubicon Lake Indian Band land claim. The interest of Project North in the Lubicon Lake Indian Band land claim and its support for the band has been consistent for a number of years. Given the correspondence between us, I am not sure that I can elaborate on the government's position beyond repeating what I have said previously. I would like to re-emphasize, however, that the Government of Canada does recognize a valid claim by the Lubicon Lake Indian Band and is committed to resolving it on a fair and just basis. For that reason, I met with Chief Ominayak in November 1991 to explore how the stalemate which now surrounds negotiations could be overcome. That meeting was productive and a further meeting with the Alberta Minster Responsible for Native Affairs is planned for February 1992. I hope progress will be made at that time. As you are aware, in 1988 Chief Ominayak demanded 95 square miles of land for a reserve under Treaty 8. Premier Getty agreed to provide the land. The agreement includes mineral rights and ended the long-standing question of the size of the reserve to which the band is entitled. The major outstanding issues which now remain all relate to money. In November 1992, Chief Ominayak gave me a proposal to resolve these issues. The total cost of the proposal is in excess of $200 million from Canada and Alberta for perhaps the 300 band members who are Treaty 8 Indians. This monetary demand is excessive and far beyond the real merits of the band's claim. I know your desire to have this land claim resolved in a fair and just manner is both genuine and heartfelt. Consequently, I would ask you to encourage Chief Ominayak to approach the forthcoming meeting in a spirit of ensuring the real merits of his claim are met through a settlement within reasonable bounds. I am convinced the claim can and must be resolved on that basis. In relation to your concern over the Loon River Cree Indian Band, I should mention that the band was recognized so residents of the Loon Lake community who are Indians could have unfulfilled collective entitlements under Treaty 8 fulfilled by the Government of Canada. I acted in creating the band because of these outstanding obligations and because the band is the only vehicle through which these can be fulfilled. The notion that the Loon River Cree and Woodland Cree Indian bands were established as part of a campaign to discredit the Lubicon claim is inaccurate. No such campaign exists or has ever existed. However, it would be an injustice to force other communities to wait until the Lubicon Lake Indian Band claim was settled as these communities have similar claims which ought to equally demand the attention of the government. I appreciate the ongoing interest of Project North in a just settlement of the Lubicon Lake Indian Band land claim. I share that goal and would welcome anything you might be able to do toward ensuring progress is made at the upcoming meeting. Yours Sincerely, Tom Siddon * * * * * Attachment #2: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (12:00 Noon) Friday, February 14, 1992 Phil Henry, CBC News Talks between the Lubicon Cree Nation and the Canadian Government are back on again. Chief Bernard Ominayak will be meeting this afternoon with the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs Tom Siddon and the Alberta Minister Responsible for Natives Dick Fowler. The meeting will start in about half an hour in Premier Don Getty's office at the Legislature. Negotiations between the Federal Government and the Band broke down more than 3 years ago. At the time, the two sides were far apart. Ottawa's offer was worth up to $45 million. The Indians wanted about $170 million. They said $100 million of that was for compensation for oil and gas taken from their land. The Lubicon Cree live in northwestern Alberta about 100 km. east of Peace River. * * * * * Attachment #3: Transcript of CKUA Radio News Broadcast (5:15 P.M.) Friday, February 14, 1992 CKUA News ...and Alberta Solicitor General Dick Fowler. The parties agreed to meet again in a few weeks, but it looks like that's all that was decided. CKUA's Ian Gray reports. Ian Gray, CKUA Radio The meeting was the first between the Lubicons and Ottawa since last November. The Government's reviewed the Band's list of demands for control over the Lubicons' traditional territory and for money. The Indians want at least $170 million to develop their reserve and in compensation for oil and gas pumped out of disputed lands. Ottawa has offered $45 million. Federal Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon says there was no movement on any of those issues. He says they weren't even discussed. Instead, Siddon said the parties tried to work out a process that would lead to a resolution. He says he hopes more substantial progress will come from this point on. Tom Siddon, Federal Indian Affairs Minister I certainly appreciated getting to know Chief Ominayak better. He is an honourable person who is representing the needs of his people very effectively and I just want to work with him to see that history will record that in the months ahead we were able to find a solution to these matters. Gray For his part, Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak says he detected a change in attitude and tone on the part of the government. He says he hopes that will lead to a resolution, but says he's not willing to wait indefinitely. Chief Bernard Ominayak, Lubicon Lake Indian Nation I certainly wouldn't want to wait another 50 years or even 5 years. If the will is there, this matter could be resolved in months. It's just that simple. Gray Ominayak now goes back to his Little Buffalo settlement near Peace River and Siddon goes to Ottawa to discuss with their sides whatever was talked about in the Edmonton meeting. They've agreed to hold another meeting within the next few weeks, somewhere in Alberta. Ian Gray, CKUA News, at the Alberta Legislature. * * * * * Attachment #4: Transcript of CBC TV News Broadcast (6:00 P.M.) Friday, February 14, 1992 Bob Chelmick, CBC News It's Alberta's best known land claims dispute, and certainly it's been the most bitter. But tonight there's been at least some promise for an end to the Lubicon Indians' fight. For the first time all the big players got together in Edmonton to talk today. Graham Thompson was there and has the story. Graham Thompson, CBC News It is a familiar walk for Chief Bernard Ominayak headed for yet another round of land claim talks. But these promise to be different today. For the first time he'll be negotiating directly with both the Federal Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon and his Alberta counterpart Dick Fowler. But after 3 years of disappointment, Ominayak is prepared for the worst in today's talks. Chief Bernard Ominayak, Lubicon Lake Indian Nation I'm sick and tired of all the rhetoric and all the propaganda that's been dished out. Hopefully we won't get into a similar situation. Thompson No other land claim is as well known in Alberta. The Lubicon Band attracted international attention in 1988 when they set up barricades on land they claimed as their own. And they organized a boycott against the giant Daishowa Company when it cut down trees on disputed land. The Alberta Government stepped in to help but it's the Federal Government which has the power to make a final deal. That did not happen today. But after the meeting Ominayak was more hopeful than when he arrived. Ominayak The mood of the Minister is that he's looking for ways to arrive at a settlement. Tom Siddon, Federal Indian Affairs Minister I was very happy with the meeting today but I think it's important that the Chief discuss with his people some of the matters we discussed and we hope to meet again soon, very soon. Thompson And that was the bottom line today. They didn't agree on a solution, but they have agreed to meet again to start working on a solution...Graham Thompson, CBC News, Edmonton. * * * * * Attachment #5: EDMONTON JOURNAL, Saturday, February 15, 1992 MEETING CALLED GOOD START IN TACKLING LUBICON DISPUTE Preliminary talks focus on process, not settlement Jack Danylchuk Journal Staff Writer Ottawa, Alberta and the Lubicon Cree reported progress Friday on developing a process that might resolve the band's 50-year-quest for a land reserve and cash settlement. "I hope this will enable us to start having serious discussions that may lead to a settlement," Lubicon chief Bernard Ominayak said after meeting with Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon and Solicitor General Dick Fowler. Fowler and Siddon called the meeting useful, but all three stressed that most of the discussion focused on process, rather than any settlement proposal. Siddon is to discuss Friday's meeting with the federal cabinet and Ominayak will talk to his band members before the three men get together again within the next few weeks. "We want to find an honorable way to meet our obligations to the Lubicon people," said Siddon, who described Ominayak as "an honorable person who represent the needs of his people very effectively. "We hope for the children and the families and the people of the Lubicon nation that we can find an honorable settlement." Ominayak described the mood of the two-hour meeting as "good" but remained cautious: "I hope it leads to a positive resolution rather than saying the minister is again trying to shaft us. I would hope that very few meetings from now we're seriously into the process. "I wouldn't want to have to wait another 50 years or even five years; if the will is there, this could be resolved in months." The timing of a settlement "remains to be seen," said Siddon. Ominayak entered the meeting arranged by Siddon's office hoping for "something of substance rather than more rhetoric" and looking for a response to the band's settlement proposal. Siddon has been studying the Lubicon proposal since last November. Ominayak wants $170 million for an estimated 500 band members whose numbers may have been reduced by 20 to 30 per cent in the last year by Ottawa's recognition of two new bands in northern Alberta -- the Woodland and Loon Lake Cree. * * * * * Attachment #6: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (12:00 Noon) Friday, February 21, 1992 Phil Henry, CBC Chief Bernard Ominayak is meeting again today with two senior politicians to try to resolve his Band's land claim. Ominayak will meet with the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs Tom Siddon and the Provincial Minister Responsible for Native Affairs in Alberta Dick Fowler. The three met last week. They're trying to resolve the Lubicon land claim that's dragged on for more than 50 years. The Lubicon Cree live in northwestern Alberta. They've never signed a treaty with the Canadian Government. That meeting will take place today in Edmonton. * * * * * Attachment #7: Transcript of ITV News Broadcast (10:00 P.M.) Friday, February 21, 1992 Louanne Fraser, ITV The Lubicons are inching towards settling their 50 year old land claim dispute with the Federal Government. Today there was another meeting to discuss re-starting talks that stalled 3 years ago. Ottawa's Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon and Alberta's counterpart Dick Fowler called the Lubicons to the Legislature just one week after the last round of talks. They only covered a process for negotiations. Lubicon leader Bernard Ominayak entered this meeting hoping for results, but emerged with the same vague statements about hope for a possible settlement. Chief Bernard Ominayak, Lubicon Lake Indian Nation We can't go on meeting forever while not producing any results. I think that's why we've appointed several people to look at it and try to make recommendations to us as to where both parties stand. * * * * * Attachment #8: EDMONTON JOURNAL, Saturday, February 22, 1992 LUBICONS TO MEET FEDERAL NEGOTIATORS Joan Crockatt Journal Staff Writer Edmonton Lubicon Band negotiators will meet directly with their federal counterparts, says Chief Bernard Ominayak. "He (federal Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon) is going to have his people and our people looking at what's going to be involved by way of a settlement," Ominayak told reporters Friday after emerging from a two- hour meeting with Siddon and Alberta Solicitor General Dick Fowler. "I guess at that point we have to decide if it's something we can live with." This meeting -- the 2nd between the three men -- also focused on outlining a process for resolving the band's 50-year quest for a land reserve and cash settlement which would not collapse at the negotiating table, said Lubicon lawyer Bob Sachs. "It happened to the Dene, it happened to us. You think you have an agreement that's going to happen down the road and then it doesn't." The leaders agreed to meet again in two to four weeks. But asked if any headway was made Friday, Ominayak sounded a note of frustration, saying he hoped the next round of meetings could "get things moving" and "lead to something of more substance." "We can't go on meeting forever," the soft-spoken Cree leader told reporters. The band's final offer is still on the table and Siddon has been studying it since last November. Ominayak wants $170 million for an estimated 500 band members. Those numbers, however, may have been reduced by 20 to 30 per cent in the last year by Ottawa's recognition of two new bands in northern Alberta -- the Woodland and Loon Lake Cree. * * * * * Attachment #9: WINDSPEAKER, March 2, 1992 INTERVIEW WITH THE FEDERAL MINISTER By Rocky Woodward Windspeaker Staff Writer Fresh from a meeting with Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak, the Minister of Indian Affairs, Tom Siddon was reluctant to speak about anything that transpired between the two men. However, in an exclusive question answer interview at WINDSPEAKER, Siddon offered some of his views about the Lubicon issue, the cry for self-government from Native people across the country and his personal thoughts about the future of the department of Indian Affairs. WS: You met with Bernard Ominayak today (February 21). Can you tell us what transpired in the meeting? SIDDON: No I can't. We've had a series of very positive and productive meetings with Chief Ominayak, and we are hoping to move towards a solution to a problem that has gone on for too long. As I said on the occasion of my last visit to Edmonton, it's the children and the families, it's the people in the Lubicon Lake community that really need to have something brighter to look forward to. I've told the Chief -- and the minster (of Municipal Affairs and Native Affairs for Alberta) Dick Fowler has enforced the undertaking that the two governments have made -- that we want to solve this problem. Beyond that, I don't think it's the right time to talk about the nature of our discussions. WS: Mr. Siddon, Is the Lubicon issue simply a question of money? SIDDON: I really don't think you can characterize the solution as being a matter of money. When we move through the process to detailed negotiations, I think we will see a solution come together, and I hope it will be acceptable to the Lubicon Lake Indian people. But it's too early to anticipate what that's going to look like. WS: Are you afraid if you meet the Lubicon demand it might set a precedence for negotiations with other bands? SIDDON: When parties sit down to seek an agreement no one comes away with the result that they are hoping to achieve. An agreement has to be reached that everyone can be happy with. And out of respect for Chief Ominayak and the Lubicon people, I'm not prepared to go into the details of those discussions. When we hopefully achieve success, you'll be the first to hear. WS: Other bands that are covered by treaties get royalties. The Lubicons are missed by historical fluke. Do the Lubicons have rights to compensation? SIDDON: Well, there you're asking me to get into specifics with matters that have been negotiated and before the courts for some time. I hope you understand that this is not the place for conducting those sensitive discussions. We have been underway between myself, Chief Ominayak and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Native Affairs, and when we continue those discussions, I hope, optimistically, that we'll find a solution. WS: Can you answer this question: Is the Daishowa, Lubicon clearcutting issue a provincial matter or is there a federal obligation involved? SIDDON: Well I'm sorry Rocky. These are sensitive negotiations and I think Chief Ominayak will tell you that we don't want to conduct them in public. Sorry I can't help you with that. WS: Can you answer this one? Is Daishowa going to clear cut this year on Lubicon... SIDDON: I don't know. WS: Do you see an agreement taking place between the federal government and the Lubicons in the near future? SIDDON: Yes...I'm very hopeful.