Lands Advisory Board Chairman Chief Louie opening remarks

Press Release –

Good Morning

Lim Limpt (thank you) to the Elders, Chiefs, Grand and Regional Chiefs, LAB Directors, Councillors, Members, Lands Management representatives, RC Staff, Friends, Advisors, Verifiers, AANDC Staff, and Guests for joining us today.

I would like to begin by acknowledging our hosts, the Membertou people, to thank them for their generosity in hosting this year’s Annual General Meeting, and for their grace and hospitality during our visit here. I would also like to say “lim limpt” (thank you) to their ancestors who looked after and protected these lands and resources so we could all be here today. What a beautiful part of the country this is, and what an impressive community!

Chief Terry Paul. I understand that you have recently been re‐elected to your 16th, two‐year term, as Chief of the Membertou Nation. My most heartfelt congratulations. Not only does this speak volumes about the care and compassion that you feel for your community, but to how your community has trusted you, and placed their belief in your vision for the future of Membertou.

This is a great testament to your leadership. I commend you on your unwavering service to your people.

I recently read a quote by Chief Paul that said:

“We feel that the way that we work as a team, we’re able to move mountains. The biggest thing is learning to work together.”

This quote hit very close to home as it is very much in keeping with how the entire Framework Agreement (FA) was born.

BACKGROUND: In the late 1980s, a national group of dedicated Chiefs began to focus on the concept of a government‐to‐government arrangement with Canada which would result in the recognition of our inherent rights to govern our reserve lands and natural resources. Some of those Chiefs are in this room today. The solution they decided upon was the creation of the Framework Agreement.

The years leading up to the development of the Framework Agreement were met with great skepticism by the Government and other outside bodies.

Despite this doubt, we prevailed. In 1996, 14 First Nations Chiefs negotiated and signed the FA with Canada. The completion of the FA represents the only time in Canada’s history that a group of First Nations have joined together to

Read more: http://labrc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/AGM-2014-Chief-Louie-Opening-Remarks-FINAL.pdf

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