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17/08/1993

Report on Findings and Recommendations Released

Ottawa (August 17, 1993) - The Indian Claims Commission today released recommendations inits first report on land claims submitted by the Cold Lake First Nations in Alberta and the Canoe Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan. The report's findings are expected to have a significanteffect on the First Nations and the federal government which rejected their claims in 1975 andagain in 1986.

The report concludes that the Government of Canada breached its treaties with the claimant FirstNations (Treaties 6 and 10) and that it also was in breach of its fiduciary duty to the First Nations in its representation of their interests. As a result the Indian Claims Commission recommends that both claims be accepted for settlement negotiation by the Government of Canada pursuant toits 1982 specific claims policy, Outstanding Business.

A news conference was held in Ottawa where the Chief Commissioner Harry LaForme presented the report to the Government of Canada. Commissioners Dan Bellegarde and Jim Prentice both presented the reports to the First Nation claimants in Saskatoon and Edmonton.

"The recommendations in this report, if accepted by government as I expect they will be, will setthe stage for the parties to commence the negotiations necessary to settle this unfortunate and long-standing matter," said Chief Commissioner Harry LaForme. "As we have said in our report, the facts in this sad situation speak for themselves and, in our view, can only lead to the recommendations we make."

The Commission's findings, conclusions and recommendations are based on inquiries it held intothe creation of the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range and the impacts it had on the peoples ofthese two communities. The Commission heard extensive oral evidence from members of the First Nations as well as government representatives. In addition, the Commission examined and considered all the historical record, as we are required to, and heard comprehensive legalargument from each of the parties.

The Indian Claims Commission was established by the Government of Canada under the Inquiries Act as part of Canada's commitment to accelerate the fair consideration and settlement of Indian land claims described by government as "specific claims". The ICC was established in 1991. Its mandate is: to inquire, at the request of a First Nation, into specific claims that have been rejected by the federal government or where the First Nation disputes the compensation criteria being considered in negotiations; and to provide mediation services on consent of the parties at any stage of the claims process.

A total of 59 enquiries from First Nations had been submitted to the Commission to date. An estimated 8 to 10 inquiries into claims will be initiated in 1993.

To download the backgrounder

To download the report PDF