2-02752

THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA CONGRATULATES MR. CARL NEPTON AND MR. YVES FORTIER ON THEIR APPOINTMENTS AS CHIEF NEGOTIATORS

Québec (QUÉBEC), February 20, 2006 - The Honorable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, is very pleased with the appointment of Mr. Carl Nepton to the position of Chief Negotiator for the Mamuitun Tribal Council mak Nutashkuan, and Mr. Yves Fortier to the position of Chief Negotiator for the Government of Québec for the comprehensive land claim and self-government negotiations with the Québec Innu.

“These appointments are significant and mark the commitment of the Parties to rapidly resume negotiations in order to permanently resolve the issue of Aboriginal rights and self-government of the Québec Innu”, declared Minister Prentice.

The Government of Canada is also prepared and committed to pursuing intensive comprehensive land claim and self-government negotiations with the Innu and the Québec government.

Since his appointment on October 26, 2005, the Chief Federal Negotiator, Mr. Gilles Thériault, has travelled to the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and the North Shore area to meet with Chiefs and to visit the Québec Innu communities.

Mr. Thériault also took advantage of his visit to inform the principal interlocutors of his intent to take into account the concerns of the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities during the course of negotiations.

“I am looking forward to working in collaboration with Mr. Nepton and Mr. Fortier. I aspire to conclude a final agreement with the Innu and the Québec government as soon as possible, taking into account the interests of all third parties involved in these negotiations”, stated Mr. Thériault.

The Québec Innu First Nations are located in the administrative regions of the North Shore and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and includes approximately 15,000 members.

To obtain additional information, please contact:

Diane Laursen
Acting Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
(819) 994-5000

Hélène Philippe
Regional Communications Manager
Québec Regional Office
Indian Affairs and Northern Development
(418) 648-7675

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