TURTLE ISLAND
Information
Meeting
Bancroft, Sword Motor Inn
April 28, 2004
@ 7:25 p.m. - 9:20 p.m.
Panel
- Richard
Zohr, Dave Joanisse, Patrick Glassford, Doreen Davis, Gilbert Lebreche, Randy
Malcolm, Bob Potts, Jim Meness, Ron L. Bernard, Dan Kohoko, Sherry Kohoko, Kirby
Whiteduck,
Bob Potts - Chair.
Bob
Potts opened the meeting and provided a self-introduction.
Then the table introduced themselves.
Bob
Potts gave a brief background of the process to date.
I
was retained by the parties last August and this led to the signing of the
Protocol Agreement between the parties. We
are trying to establish consultation with people on beneficiary criteria to
identify a group of people to get approval for a negotiation table.
We
are trying to establish a table to negotiate the claim on behalf of the
Algonquins. Then we need to
determine who will be the beneficiaries.
After
the protocol was achieved, I asked ANTC/ANND and the Algonquins of Pikwākanagān
to provide me their position papers on beneficiary. Asking for feed back and positive assistance on these two
position papers.
Bob
Potts gave dates for other information meetings being held in areas and provide
his toll free number.
The
floor was opened for questions and discussion.
There
had been concern that people did not receive both newsletters from the
Algonquins of Pikwākanagān and ANND. Comments
had been made that it will be at least another 20 years to resolve this and then
we probably arent going to have a treaty.
It
had been stated that this table is being funded for this process and that
Algonquins of Pikwākanagān got 50% of funding.
And that the Algonquins of Pikwākanagān had sent out their newsletter
to all registered band members on and off reserve. Pikwakanagan also had ANTC/ANND criteria attached in their
newsletter.
Concern
of spousal and children inclusion for hunting.
Also someone had suggested that everybody should work together on the
same rules.
We
are trying to work together to speak with one voice. This is the last attempt to resolve this claim in this
generation.
There
had been concern that a lot of people did not understand the material that had
been sent out. There was suggestion
made to maybe send out a summary of
this, something that sketches out the two positions so that everyone could
understand. There had been concern
to know what rights they have.
This
table is making every effort to reach everyone in the territory and is committed
to finding a solution for this.
Chief
Kirby Whiteduck and Chief Doreen Davis stated to everyone that if anyone needed
to talk about the beneficiary criteria, dont hesitate to call.
Someone
had questioned the legitimacy of ANTC/ANND.
Also concerns of paternity, it makes a negative assumption; it assumed
that unknown paternity means white.
There
had been mention of schedule A and B that the door should be open to
additions to these. Isnt
schedule A and B based on historical records?
The
objective is to ensure the rights and the benefits are given to Algonquin
people.
Lots
of concerns in respect to the draft of the Algonquins of Pikwākanagān
Beneficiary Criteria for Comprehensive Land Claim Settlement to the Ottawa
Valley (ON) and Draft Citizenship Law of the Algonquin Nation Tribal Council.
One defines beneficiary to the claim and one defines citizenship to the
claim.
The
Algonquins of Pikwākanagān version is a draft and has not gone through any
formal recognition by Council or the Community.
Concerns
of the blood quantum 1/8.
There
is an issue of who is Algonquin or trying to put some definition as to who is
Algonquin. Canada is a nation but
what race are they? There has to be
some kind of medium somewhere. Before
Europeans came there was an identified Nation and culture.
Marriage and habitat is being forced to be change by Canadian Law.
Traditional culture is being undermined.
The purpose for the criteria is to focus on eligibility criteria for land
claim negotiations.
There
are two steps to this process.
1)
Who
will be the people to create a table for negotiations to negotiate a settlement?
2)
And
do you go to the extent - who would benefit from the settlement?
Comments
made that the Algonquins of Pikwākanagān Chief and Council only listen to what
they want to hear. We want to know
if you are actually going to do something?
The
Algonquins of Pikwākanagān did take the first move to include non-status and
we do want rights recognized. The
relationship fell apart because people did not agree. Enrollment was never identified to create beneficiaries.
But this is the goal of this table to see who will be beneficiaries.
There
had been question if Katherine Cannon received the mail-out.
Bob
Potts had stated that yes this information was sent to Katherine Cannon and Bob
Lavalley.
Suggestion
made to have a dialog for all people outside of the region.
There
is a commitment from Algonquin Nation Tribal Council.
Concern
for some people that did not receive the mail out. If people move please forward someone your new mail address
so that we can update the mailing list and then there should be no reason of why
someone did not receive the mail out.
There
were concerns of how this body will be elected, will they be elected the same as
the Algonquins of Pikwākanagān.
Chief
Kirby Whiteduck for the Algonquins of Pikwākanagān stated that he has been
involved in the process for a long time. And
that Algonquins of Pikwākanagān are committed to looking at all the options
expressed here today.
Meeting
adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Attendance
- 26
Page created by: muckwa
Changes last made on: June
23, 2004.