Yesterday the Nunatsiavut Government made an Immediate Release, and it reads:
The Nunatsiavut Government stands with Innu Nation Fake Indigenous groups threatening health, wellbeing, and legitimate connections to lands Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe today issued the following statement:
“The Nunatsiavut Government strongly supports the Innu Nation in its challenge against the Government of Canada’s decision to sign the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC).
This decision drastically undermines and could indefinitely postpone the Innu Nation’s treaty process, which has been ongoing for over 40 years.
“The Nunatsiavut Government finds it deeply concerning that Canada proceeded to sign this MOU despite having categorically rejected NCC’s claims on four separate occasions over two decades, concluding each time that there is insufficient evidence to support NCC’s claim to be an Indigenous rights-holding group under s. 35 of the Constitution.
“The Nunatsiavut Government does not recognize NCC as a legitimate Indigenous collective capable of holding s. 35 rights. NCC members do not have a viable claim to land in Labrador.
Inuit know who Inuit are and Inuit in Canada do not accept NCC members as Inuit. The NCC’s proposed land claim lacks recognition based on their research, consultations, and the history of Labrador Inuit.
“The Nunatsiavut Government agrees that these fake Indigenous groups are becoming a huge threat to Canada’s legitimate Indigenous peoples’ sacred connections to our lands, our health and wellbeing.
“We stand with the Innu Nation in issuing a decisive call for non-Indigenous people, including those in positions of power, to stop enabling fraudulent groups like the NCC.” Media Contact: Bert Pomeroy, Director of Communications (709) 896-8582