Lubicon, DIAND minister hopeful for claim settlement

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A recent meeting between the federal Indian affairs minister and the chief of the Lubicon Band in northern Alberta may pave the way towards a long-awaited land claim settlement for that Native community.

Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin met briefly with Chief Bernard Ominayak Feb. 18, the first day of the minister's four-day stint of self-government discussions with Alberta chiefs.

Ominayak would not give many details of their talk, saying he preferred to wait until the minister sees the Lubicon's proposal next week.

The discussions stayed away from specific issues like a land claim or resource sharing, focusing instead on a means to enable Native, provincial and federal leaders "to get into serious negotiations," he said.

"We concluded that we need to put something in place to allow serious negotiations. He's looking to us to spell out what will work."

Irwin said there were significant gains made with the Lubicons.

"I think we've developed a trust with the chief that didn't exist before and that's the first step."

Alberta Deputy Premier Ken Kowalski also agreed with Ottawa's agenda to find a fair process during a meeting two weeks ago, Irwin said.

Ominayak last met with provincial Social Services Minister Mike Cardinal in June to discuss restarting negotiations, which ended abruptly in 1990.

The Lubicon first filed a statement of claim with federal court in 1982 asking for Aboriginal title, or a settlement based upon the entitlement given to Treaty 8 Indians.

Their claim represented about 200 people and sought title to 64,000 square kilometres - approximately 10 percent of Alberta - and $1 billion in damages. The band also initiated a lawsuit against 11 companies in provincial court.

In 1989, the province offered the band 240 square kilometres of land including some mineral rights. Ottawa also threw in $34 million to build new housing for the band and $10.4 million for economic development.

Both of those offers were rejected for not ensuring the Lubicon's social or economic self-sufficiency. But it appears Alberta is ready to consider the issues again, Irwin said.

"Mr. Cardinal wants to get it solved...and industry in Alberta wants to get it solved. And the Lubicon want to get it solved, so I think we will."

Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Ovide Mercredi was "more than satisfied" with the Lubicon meeting.

"I'm encouraged by the response that is forthcoming from the government. That issue has to be resolved. It's not in Alberta's best interest as a province to let that issue fester."

The grand chief has been pushing the federal government to settle land claim disputes with individual First Nations as part of its self-government agenda.

And it's also in the best interest of the Lubicon Cree to ensure that there is a process sin place, he said.

"The longer they wait the less resources will be available to them for self-sufficiency."

But a lot still depends on the mandate of the negotiators, Mercredi said. Ottawa should re-work its comprehensive and specific claims policies, which often call on Natives to relinquish land, treaty and Aboriginal rights.