AOO Consultation Office

Pictured above are the ANRS from the Algonquins of Ontario with the Honorable Chuck Strahl (Minister of Indian and
Northern Affairs Canada and Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status
Indians) And the Honourable Brad Duguid (Ontario Minister of Aboriginal
Affairs) as well as our Local MPP Cheryl Gallant.

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Algonquins open office in the city
( From the Pembroke Observer )

A new consultation office for the Algonquins of Ontario was officially
opened Monday by the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian and
Northern Affairs Canada and Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status
Indians, and the Honourable Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Aboriginal
Affairs.
 
In front of local officials, representatives from all levels of
government and other guests, the two Ministers jointly cut a ribbon to
mark the official opening of the 5,262-square-foot office that has been
established to co-ordinate a wide variety of consultation activities
with the government.
 
The Ontario Algonquins, representing people of Algonquin descent living
in an area covering nine million acres within the watersheds of the
Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers, are in the midst of negotiations with the
governments of Canada and Ontario towards the settlement of an
outstanding land claim dating back to 1772. The Traditional Territory of
the Algonquins includes the National Capital Region in Ottawa and
Algonquin Park.
 
The Algonquins, along with the federal and Ontario governments, have
jointly agreed to attempt to reach an agreement in principle (AIP) in
2011.
 
"This office opens the door for productive dialogue on economic
development opportunities and other matters of importance to both
Ontario and the Algonquins," said Minister Duguid. "We look forward to
working with the Algonquins of Ontario and other interested parties to
develop a settlement of the Algonquin land claim that will benefit the
entire region."
 
"Our government is pleased to support this new consultation office,"
said Minister Strahl. "This office will provide a separate venue, away
from the negotiation table, to address development issues within the
claim area. This will allow our negotiating teams to focus on resolving
the claim. We look forward to continuing to work together towards an
agreement that will provide economic certainty for the Algonquin people
and their neighbours throughout eastern Ontario."
 
"On behalf of the Algonquins of Ontario, we thank both the governments
of Canada and Ontario for their respective commitments and financial
support that have allowed us to establish this office," said Chief Kirby
Whiteduck of the Algonquins of Pikwakànagàn First Nation, speaking on
behalf of the First Nation and the nine other Ontario Algonquin
communities.
 
"Our consultation efforts will continue to be respectful of the many
non-Algonquins who live, work and make their homes in our Traditional
Territory. We believe that Algonquins can live, work and enjoy living
together with our non-Algonquin neighbors through mutual respect and
open dialogue."
 
While the negotiations continue to settle the outstanding land claim,
the Algonquins have entered into an agreement with the governments of
Canada and Ontario on consultation about activities or projects in the
Traditional Territory. These consultations are taking place away from
the land claim negotiation table and are led by elected representatives
of the Algonquins (known as Algonquin Negotiation Representatives or
"ANRs") working with the affected government departments, ministries or
agencies. The Algonquins of Ontario have established the consultation
office in Pembroke to co-ordinate that work which now includes more than
200 files. The office will also support the Algonquins' work with local
municipalities and businesses.
 
The new office will allow governments, including Canada and Ontario as
well as municipal governments throughout the Traditional Territory, to
consult the Algonquins of Ontario and the 10 Algonquin communities they
represent on proposed activities or projects in the region while the
negotiations are ongoing. The Algonquins of Ontario include the
Algonquins of the Pikwakànagàn First Nation and nine other Algonquin
communities.