OTTAWA, Monday, March 18, 2024 – On behalf of the NunatuKavut Community Council, President Todd Russell issued the following statement in advance of a Federal Court hearing where the Innu Nation, along with Nunatsiavut Government as an Intervenor, is seeking to quash NCC’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canada on NCC’s Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD) process:
“NCC has been looking forward to our day in Court. We are confident in our case and our very capable legal team. And we are very confident in the law, facts, and evidence. We believe the outcome of this case will be no different than other cases where we have been successful in the courts in defense of our identity and our rights.
While the MOU is an important milestone that was reached after nearly 30 years of comprehensive and extensive work, it is an early step in the RIRSD process. The MOU itself sets out how NCC will work with Canada to develop a joint mandate for future negotiations. It is about NCC moving forward to achieve our vision and to act on priorities that improve the health, safety and well-being of our people. NCC’s MOU with the federal government in no way, shape, or form diminishes or negatively impacts any other Indigenous group.
This litigation is yet another part of an intentional campaign to delegitimize NunatuKavut Inuit. You will note that these allegations are never accompanied with evidence to support their assertions. Maybe Innu Nation needs to look in the mirror regarding their own unsubstantiated land claims. It’s the same rhetoric, misinformation and outright falsehoods that they, along with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Nunatsiavut Government, have been spewing for months. The baseless allegations being made by all three groups are an obvious attempt to politicize Indigeneity and undermine our long-established relationships with the federal government and others. We have to ask ourselves: who is doing this and why? Is it based solely on money and greed?
It is also damaging and harmful to have other Indigenous groups act without integrity, knowing that harm is being done to our youth, elders and others in our communities. Their attempts to deny our culture, our connection to our ancestral lands, and our people is a form of racism and lateral violence. NCC will do everything within our power and jurisdiction to ensure our people’s rights are protected and our lands and resources are safeguarded.
The politicization of identity only drives a wedge between Indigenous communities who are each facing pressures like rising cost of living, housing shortages, food, water and heat insecurities, unemployment and the very real impacts of climate change. The only way to effectively attempt to resolve these issues is through collaboration and mutual respect. It was not that long ago that all three Indigenous groups in Labrador were sitting together at common tables working on issues of importance, like the protection of our caribou and employment and training. What has changed? We hope there is a time when we can once again work together in respectful cooperation for the benefit of all.
In the meantime, NCC remains focussed on advancing our RIRSD process with Canada and ensuring that Canada makes right and just decisions for NunatuKavut Inuit. We also seek tangible and positive change for our people, while protecting our culture and way of life for many generations to come. This will continue long past the outcome of this Federal Court case.”
About: The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) is a governing organization that represents the rights and interests of Inuit who come from south and central Labrador. NCC is committed to advocating for section 35 rights, interests, and priorities of NunatuKavut Inuit. Rooted in the rich traditions and culture of NunatuKavut Inuit, NCC works diligently towards self-government and self-determination, while fostering community growth and sustainability.
To learn more about NCC and NunatuKavut Inuit, please visit our website at www.nunatukavut.ca and we invite you to check out our new Story Map page which helps tell our story. Please also join in the conversation at facebook.com/nunatukavut and Twitter @nunatukavut.
To read previous statements on this matter, please check out the News & Media section of our website at https://nunatukavut.ca/news-media/latest-news/
NCC Media Contact:
Kelly Broomfield
Chief Communications Officer
T. 709-280-5965