NunatuKavut Community Council once again denounces baseless allegations and intentional misinformation from Innu Nation; calls for greater cooperation to tackle pressing issues
HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR – NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell today issued the following statement on behalf of NCC. This is in response to a news conference held by the Innu Nation this afternoon concerning the upcoming Federal Court hearing where they seek to quash NCC’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canada on NCC’s Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD) process.
“NCC is not at all surprised by this news conference. The Innu Nation continues to intentionally spew misinformation and rhetoric about NCC and the rights of NunatuKavut Inuit. These baseless allegations are an obvious attempt to politicize the process and to negatively influence the federal government and our relationship with them. The notion that NCC is a new group is simply false and offensive to our youth, elders and to the memory of our ancestors. We are the descendants from generations of Inuit who have lived on our lands, ice and waters for hundreds of years.
While the hearing scheduled for October 11 and 12 has been postponed, NCC is looking forward to our day in court on our MOU. We are confident in the law, facts and evidence that will be presented.
The MOU is a significant milestone that was reached after over 30 years of exhaustive and extensive work, yet 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 in no way, shape or form diminishes or negatively impacts the Innu Nation or any other Indigenous group.
Rights recognition is not a zero-sum game where one group loses when another group makes progress. As a matter of fact, overlap with other Indigenous groups is very common in these types of land claims processes. Co-existing claims underline the historical and ongoing land use and cultural ties of our respective communities.
NCC encourages all Indigenous groups to direct their energies in working together to find solutions to the very real issues faced by our peoples and communities, from housing shortages to food insecurity and the cost of living to the serious threat of climate change.
NCC has indicated time and again our openness to sitting at a table with each group in Labrador, and indeed all of the province, to share information and discuss issues in a respectful way. We reiterate that call again today and emphasize the great possibilities and how we can all be strengthened when we work together.”
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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
E. communications@nunatukavut.ca