HAPPY VALLEY–GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, July 13, 2026 – NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell issued the following statement after receiving the final report of a review around governance and engagement arrangements related to the Akami-Uapishku-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve:
“Parks Canada commissioned a review nearly two years ago to examine the arrangements in place with the three Labrador Indigenous groups who assert rights in the Park. They were also looking for ‘…solutions that would allow park establishment and operations to proceed…’
From the outset, it was evident that the terms of reference and the overall process was heavily influenced by Parks Canada’s relationship with Innu Nation and Nunatsiavut Government while seeking minimal input from NCC. NCC expressed concerns about the impartiality of Eric Maldoff, the lawyer hired to oversee the review. Mr. Maldoff previously served as Chief Federal Negotiator on the Innu Nation claim, and helped negotiate their Agreement-in-Principle, including the chapter on National Parks. Mr. Maldoff’s prejudicial commentary on NCC throughout the process and in his final report, including making determinations about the scope of our rights, reinforces our concerns around his bias in the process. In doing so, he went way outside the scope of what we understood the objective of the review to be. Mr. Maldoff’s report ignores the long-standing connection of our people to the lands, waters and ice in and around the proposed Park (see Appendix A), and would represent a massive setback in the relationship with Parks Canada and the process of park creation.
NCC has a Shared Understanding Agreement (SUA) with Parks Canada built on mutual trust and a spirit of collaboration. It has been in place since 2015. At that time, Parks Canada indicated that it would lead to further agreements like a Park Impacts Benefits Agreement and a close working relationship around park implementation. Instead, the relationship with Parks has deteriorated based on politics and pressure, with NCC and our people being pushed out of park management and operation.
According to the Terms of Reference, Mr. Maldoff’s mandate was to provide recommendations ‘that Parks Canada can undertake whilst honouring and upholding the agreements, that do not infringe on Sec. 35 rights.’ Instead, Mr. Maldoff has proposed a course of action that would see our agreement terminated, and our s. 35 rights prejudiced. This recommendation is preposterous and flies in the face of reconciliation. Mr. Maldoff also appears to misunderstand the case law around duty to consult. Several court decisions have confirmed that NCC is entitled to be consulted on decisions that affect our rights. Creation of a Park in the heart of our territory has the potential to have a significant impact on our rights and our way of life, and would require consultation at a high level. Ultimately, this Park can only proceed in our territory with the consent of NCC.
During the review process, NCC referred Mr. Maldoff to the Laurier Research Group report that we released publicly on July 7 (click here to download the report), which he obviously did not consider when preparing his report. The Laurier report was commissioned by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, who has since indicated they would be shelving it. It is outrageous that the Government of Canada would uphold Mr. Maldoff’s egregious report while seeking to bury another report that makes truthful and affirming conclusions regarding NunatuKavut Inuit.
The Nunatsiavut Government issued a news release this morning in support of the Parks Canada report. This was anticipated. Nunatsiavut Government again used this as an opportunity to spew the same harmful rhetoric about NCC and our people. It is another attempt to further their malicious campaign against us and cast aspersions on our Indigeneity. Sadly, this type of approach creates further division among Indigenous peoples in Labrador and is a massive disservice to the establishment of the Park itself. There is room for each Indigenous group to play an integral role in the implementation of the Mealy Mountain National Park Reserve, one that protects the interests of all. As I have said before, we are strengthened when we work together.
NCC calls on Parks Canada to immediately dismiss the Maldoff report and to live up to the Honour of the Crown through the implementation and resourcing of our SUA. It would be a great start in getting back to a more constructive relationship with Parks Canada and, maybe, a more constructive relationship with other Indigenous groups.”
Media Contact:
Kelly Broomfield
Chief Communications Officer
T. 709-280-5965
E. communications@nunatukavut.ca
About the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC): NCC is the governing organization that represents the rights and interests of Inuit from south and central Labrador. Rooted in the rich traditions and culture of NunatuKavut Inuit, NCC is advancing section 35 rights, working diligently toward self-government and self-determination, and fostering sustainable communities for the future.
Learn more at www.nunatukavut.ca. Join the conversation at facebook.com/nunatukavut, X/Twitter @nunatukavut and Instagram @nunatukavutinuit.