[IPSM] A Critical Time for the Lubicon Cree Nation

[willowtree at mts.net]

FYI...

Full Article: 
http://intercontinentalcry.org/a-critical-time-for-the-lubicon-cree-nation/



  A Critical Time for the Lubicon Cree Nation

The Lubicon Nation is at a critical juncture in their ongoing struggle 
for land rights. This was perhaps made most evident last month, when 
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) cut off all funding to the 
northern Alberta Nation because of a so-called “unresolved political 
dispute.”

Closely resembling the leadership struggle in Barriere Lake, a 
fraudulent election was held on Lubicon Territory on June 5, 2009, 
without the consent of the Lubicon Government. The election, as reported 
in the newly published Lubicon Lake Nation Newsletter (October 2009) 
“included voters from a number of other First Nations and paid no regard 
to the Lubicon residency.”

Steve Noskey, who is not a member of the Lubicon Nation, but, rather, 
the Loon River Cree Nation, won the election and immediately declared 
himself the new Chief.

Ultimately, this so-called dispute is a non-issue, like that of Barriere 
Lake. Chief Bernard Ominayak was re-elected at Lubicon Nation’s official 
election, held at the Community Longhouse on June 25, 2009.

However, INAC’s incompetence-masquerading-as-guardianship has forced the 
Lubicon into a perilous position. Not only have they cut off all funding 
(and shut down the community health center) but they have also opened 
the gates just enough for Trans-Canada to wiggle its way in.

The company is moving ahead with their North Central Corridor pipeline 
project. Reports the Lubicon Lake Nation News,

“At the end of September, RCMP officers visited Chief Bernard Ominayak 
in his office to inform him that Trans-Canada would be entering the 
Lubicon Territory beginning Oct 15, 2009 to complete their North Central 
Corridor pipeline project. Trans-Canada has not been given authorization 
by the Lubicon Government to operate within the Territory. The North 
Central Corridor project has been proceeding since 2008.

“Since that time Trans-Canada officials have refused to enter into any 
meaningful discussion with the Lubicon Government. The Lubicon 
Government have repeatedly asked Trans-Canada officials to provide a 
written statement indicating that Trans-Canada Corp. respects Lubicon 
land and Lubicon jurisdiction over their Traditional Territory. This 
document has never been drafted and as a result Trans-Canada has never 
been given the right to access or operate within the Lubicon Territory. 
In 2008, without the consent of the Lubicon Government, Trans-Canada 
Corp. had installed a 600 person work camp within the Lubicon Territory 
which had devastating effects on the surrounding environment. The 
Lubicon Government has made their position is clear: Trans-Canada Corp. 
is guilty of trespass against the Lubicon Lake Nation.

“Further trespass or attempts to construct a pipeline within Lubicon 
Territory without the consent of the Lubicon Government will be stopped 
by whatever means necessary. Chief Ominayak advised the RCMP that he 
hopes they will uphold their duty to protect the Lubicon people from the 
resource giant should that day arrive.

“The RCMP responded days later by charging a Lubicon elder with uttering 
threats after he spoke out against Trans-Canada surveyors who were 
trespassing on Lubicon lands. It has come to the attention of the 
Lubicon Government that a meeting between Trans-Canada officials and 
Steve Noskey & Dwight Gladue took place in early October, 2009.

“Sources indicate that Mr. Noskey & Mr. Gladue gave Trans-Canada a 
blanket authorization to conduct any operations they wish within the 
Lubicon Territory. Noskey and Gladue have no authority to speak on 
behalf of the Lubicon Lake Nation. Clearly these two non-members have no 
respect for the lands which they are claiming to govern or for the 
people residing within those lands.” (END)

Nor does Trans-Canada, despite assurances to the contrary, made by the 
company last year.”

Canadian Forest Oil (CFO), on the other hand, skipped the pleasant 
platitudes altogether. Lubicon Lake News also reports that CFO, a 
subsidiary of the U.S. company Forest Oil recently entered Lubicon 
territory to commence an “extensive drilling program” in at least 9 
separate locations. Work has begun on the first lease, with the company 
“using outside contractors without Lubicon consent.”

The Cree Nation has since delivered notices by email and by telephone, 
warning CFO that any further trespassing on Lubicon territory will be 
stopped. Adds Lubicon Lake News, “As in the case of Trans-Canada, the 
Lubicon Lake Nation demand that ALL resource companies produce deeds or 
titles to Lubicon Lands that lawfully supersedes Lubicon Aboriginal 
Title. In absence of such a deed or title it is expected that resource 
companies meet with and negotiate all rights of access with the Duly 
Elected Government of the Lubicon Lake Nation.”

Mounting Pressures

Mounting pressures from Trans-Canada, Canadian Forest Oil, the Alberta 
Government, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and, at the very center, 
the current Federal Government is a major threat to the Lubicon People, 
their traditions, and their most basic human rights and indigenous rights.

Please show your support for the Lubicon by Writing letters of concern to:

* Harold Kvisle – Transcanada’s CEO, c/o his “Associate” Janna Laberge 
at: janna_laberge at transcanada.com (Phone TransCanada Pipelines directly, 
toll free at 1.800.661.3805 (or in Calgary at 403-920-2000)
* David M Anderson – President, Canadian Forest Oil Ltd. 
Email:DMAnderson at forestoil.com Ph: 1-403-292-8000 Fax: 1-403-261-7665
* George Arcand Jr. – Regional Director General, Indian and Northern 
Affairs Canada at Tel: 1-780-495-2835 Fax: 1-780-495-4354 630
* Hon. Ed Stelmach – Premier of Alberta Fax: 1-780-427-1349 Email: 
premier at gov.ab.ca (send a letter via Amnesty International)
* Hon. Chuck Strahl – Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern 
Development, Fax: 1-613-944-9376 Ph: 1-613-992-2940 Email: StrahC at parl.gc.ca

More information regarding the current struggle the Lubicon, visit visit 
www.lubicon.org. Any questions, concerns, or messages of support may be 
directed to Chief Ominayak at the Lubicon Lake Nation Band Office by 
telephone at (780) 629-3945, by fax (780) 629-3939, by email at 
LubiconLakeNation at telus.net, or by mail to: Lubicon Lake Nation Attn: 
Chief Bernard Ominayak P.O. Box 6731 Peace River, AB T8S1S5.

Click here if you would like to download a copy of Lubicon Lake Nation 
News (PDF), October 2009, or head over to 
http://www.lubiconlakenation.com to read the newsletter online.

Photo Credit: protectthehuman.com