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ONTARIO FIRST NATIONS TO SEE MORE BENEFITS FROM TRAPPING

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO (April 10, 2006) - First Nations in Ontario will now receive increased benefits from trapping activities in their traditional territories following agreements signed with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.

Today, the Anishinabek Nation, Grand Council Treaty No. 3 and Nishnawbe Aski Nation announced the signing of trapping harmonization agreements with the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Jim Prentice, said the agreement “presents an excellent opportunity to work together through co-operative dialogue to strengthen relationships, and to build a better future for First Nations people.”

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage described the agreement as “key to maintaining good working relationships with our partners in order to uphold mutual values of conservation as joint stewards of Mother Earth.”

Grand Council Treaty No. 3 Ogichidaa Arnold Gardner said, “This step towards a renewed relationship based on the laws of Canada and the inherent laws of the Anishinaabe will promote better relations for the next generations of our diverse cultures.”

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy called the agreement “the starting point in managing our renewable resources, creating a partnership with both levels of government so that we can continue to resolve conflicting policies and laws affecting the lives of the people in our territory.”

“These agreements are good examples of how Ontario is promoting more effective relationships between First Nations, Canada and Ontario, and reflect our government’s commitment to strong, prosperous Aboriginal communities,” said Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, the Honourable David Ramsay.

The trapping harmonization agreements will allow these First Nations organizations to:

• issue trapping licences to members;
  
• address the current royalties system from the sale of furs;
  
• provide training to individuals who want to qualify for first-time trapping licences; and
  
• administer trap-line allocations in traditional territories.

Negotiations with the Government of Ontario dealing with the management and administration of trapping within traditional territories have been under way since 1993 (in the case of Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Grand Council Treaty #3) and 1998 (in the case of the Anishinabek Nation). More information about the history of the negotiations can be found in the attached Backgrounder, “Ontario Trapping Harmonization Agreements.”

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provided funding for negotiations and implementation of the trapping harmonization agreements, as well as technical support and information.

For further information, please contact:

Tony Prudori
Acting Senior Information Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(807) 624-1535

Steve Payne
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Communications Services Branch
(416)-314-2103

Maurice Switzer
Director of Communications
Union of Ontario Indians
(705) 497-9127, Ext.2272

Adolphus Cameron
Grand Council Treaty #3
(807) 548-4214

Jenna Young
Director of Communications
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625-4952

Backgrounder - Ontario Trapping Harmonization Agreements

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