8/16/2019 Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak to Indigenous Relations
Minister Richard Feehan May 18, 2016
1/2
May 18, 2016
Hon. Richard Feehan, MLA Hand Delivered
Minister of Indigenous Relations
104 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Phone: 780.422.4144
Fax: 780.638.4052
Re: Lubicon Lake Nation Outstanding Issues
Dear Minister Feehan,
Thank you for taking the time to meet with the representatives
of the Government of the Lubicon Lake Nation
today. We have attached to this letter, copies of all the
reference materials which we highlighted or intended to
highlight in our meeting outlining the numerous outstanding
issues between Canada, Alberta and the Lubicon. In
light of today’s meeting, and of Canada and Alberta’s bleak
history in dealing with the Lubicon peo ple, I sincerely
hope you will take the potential solutions presented today under
further consideration. Our Nation has waited
patiently for your government to come to the table, to do
the right thing, and to fulfill the promises made during your
campaigns in 2015 and in your party’s platform. In
addition to the strong support of our people, the Government of
our Nation still has supporters across Canada in every province,
as well as internationally, who are watching and
waiting to see justice.
On May 2nd, we asked the United Nations once again to review
Canada and its provincial and municipal agent’s
harmful actions against the Lubicon Lake Nation, violating our
internationally recognized human rights and the
principles in the UNDRIP which your government has
publicly agreed to uphold. Our Early Warning and Urgent
Action submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination is attached for your reference.
On May 5
th
, lawyers for the Lubicon Lake Nation wrote Alberta Justice
demanding the statement of defence ofAlberta in relation to
proceedings filed by the Nation against Alberta and Canada in June
of 2013 with regard to
infringements upon our Aboriginal Rights and Title over our
lands, as well as improper interference and
undermining of the Government of the Lubicon Lake Nation. That
statement of defence was expected in the summer
of 2013 and has still yet to be filed and received.
8/16/2019 Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak to Indigenous Relations
Minister Richard Feehan May 18, 2016
2/2
Tomorrow, on May 19th, representatives of the Lubicon Lake
Nation will file a complaint with the Alberta Human
Rights Commission citing the discriminatory practices of the
Alberta government against our Nation as a result of
our race, spiritual and political beliefs.
As you can see, the Government of the Lubicon Lake Nation has
made every attempt to be supportive and patient
with the new NDP government. The reality is the situations our
people face is dire, and we as a Government will
take all steps necessary to defend them. In our meeting today
our representatives offered a number of positive,
potential solutions ranging from short to long term to
begin to address the historical inequities our sovereign Nation
has endured in the face of forced colonization. The question
now, is whether your government intends to
continue to carry out the genocidal practices of a former
regime, or will the Alberta NDP be the face and
stewards of real change?
I look forward to your prompt and positive reply. If you wish to
discuss these matters further I can be reached at the
Lubicon Lake Nation Administration Office (780) 629-3945 or via
email at [email protected]
Sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED
Chief Bernard Ominayak
Lubicon Lake Nation
/encl.
Cc: Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister; Hon. Rachel
Notley, Premier;
Hon. Carolyn Bennet, Minister INAC; Grand Chief Perry
Bellegarde, AFN;
Chief Craig Makinaw, AFN; Hon. Danielle Larivee, MLA;
Debbie Jabbour, MLA James O’Reilly, O’Reilly et
Associes;
Terry Munro – Munro and Associates Inc.
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas, Independent Expert, United Nations
