Innu Land Negotiations A minister inaccessible, deplores the great chief Dominique Gilbert
A report by Dominique Rivard
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/est-quebec/2008/05/07 / 003-Innu-negos.asp
leaders Mashteuiatsh Essipit and Nutashkuan trying for months to meet with the Minister Indian, Chuck Strahl. The leaders want to move the negotiations arising from the agreement in principle general self-government of the Innu, signed in 2004 by the Liberal government.
The process has been stalled for the appointment of Mr. Strahl, last fall.
Minister Strahl has yet to decline the offer. "It tells us that for the moment, he is unable to meet us, despite our insistence. We need to share with the federal government on key issues behind the negotiation, "said the head of Mashteuiatsh, Dominique Gilbert. Chuck Strahl said
enough time for a meeting he does not consider necessary.
Dominique Gilbert said he doubted the willingness of conservatives to conclude agreements with the native land when they were elected in 2006. He wondered whether the fact that the Innu have signed for the first time in Canada an agreement that preserves the ancestral rights of indigenous community does not slow the heat of government.
The Innu have called in reinforcements Premier Jean Charest, who must try to convince Stephen Harper to leave the negotiations stalled.
