Grand Council Treaty 3 and Ontario will continue to work together to promote greater economic opportunities for Treaty 3 First Nations communities.
At a news conference Friday on the Wabigoon Lake First Nation near Dryden, Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffery, Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle and Treaty 3 Grand Council Chief Diane Kelly signed a Letter of Commitment to continue improving and enhancing their working relationships for the benefit of the region.
The letter of commitment reaffirms a letter of intent to that effect signed a year ago at the Mitaanjigaming First Nation Roundhouse.
“It‘s important to continue to work in the spirit of co-operation,” Kelly said, noting that “Grand Council Treaty 3 is engaged in this new relationship . . . (in order to) bridge communication gaps, inform these ministries of our priorities and concerns, and ensure that opportunities made available through Ontario initiatives are facilitated by improved information sharing and, where possible, direct coordination and support.”
Gravelle said the letter “builds on our continuing positive relationship with Treaty 3.”
“Today we reaffirm a shared spirit of partnership and commitment that will help us further advance the economic goals of the Grand Council Treaty 3, and promote natural resource management decisions that respect Aboriginal and treaty rights,” Jeffery said, noting that “I believe we have made progress so far.”
Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding on improving relations two years ago, some notable milestones have occurred, including: hiring of two Treaty 3 resource sector coordinators; hosting of several community information sessions; Grand Council‘s participation in economic development, lands and resources, mineral exploration and mining conferences; and working on developing communications/consultation tools and research projects to support resource development in the Treaty 3 territory.
Grand Council Treaty 3 includes 28 First Nations, two of which are located in Manitoba.
