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For Immediate Release
January 22, 2002

News Release

Ontario Government and Ontario First Nations Commit to Formal Dialogue

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TORONTO – The Government of Ontario and Ontario First Nation leaders signed a letter-of-intent today, marking a significant step forward in their relationship. The purpose of the letter-of-intent is to establish regular meetings between Ontario ministers and key First Nation leaders to promote on-going dialogue and to resolve issues of shared concern.

David Young, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, as well as lead minister for this process, commented, "I am pleased and encouraged with what we have accomplished here today. While this process is in its early stages, we are making progress. We are building our relationship as we continue to work together to promote, improve and create opportunities for First Nations in Ontario."

"I look forward to the timely resolution of the issues we agreed to at today's meeting, and with greater anticipation to addressing the long-term and tougher issues concerning First Nations. Resolving these issues will also benefit Ontario," added Charles Fox, Ontario Regional Chief. Fox also echoed comments made by John Snobelen, Minister of Natural Resources, at a June 2001 meeting by saying, "What we have done and what we haven't done in the past has not always worked."

Today's meeting was the second meeting of this working group of ministers and First Nation leaders to develop a process for dialogue. The first meeting of this group took place in June 2001. At that meeting, officials were directed to prepare the draft letter-of-intent for consideration at today's meeting.

Ontario participants at today's meeting were: David Young, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs; John Snobelen, Minister of Natural Resources, Dan Newman, Minister of Northern Development and Mines; and Rob Sampson, Minister of Correctional Services. The First Nation participants were: Charles Fox, Ontario Regional Chief; Vernon Roote, Grand Chief of the Anishinabek Nation; Stan Beardy, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation; Leon Jourdain, Grand Chief of Treaty # 3; Ignace Gull, Grand Chief of the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council; Roberta Jamieson, Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River; Denise Stonefish, Deputy Grand Chief of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians; and Angie Barnes, Chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.

Ministers and leaders discussed a range of issues at today's meeting. They also agreed to meet again as a group in six months. In the interim, ministers and First Nation leaders will continue to meet on relevant bi-lateral issues.

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Mark Gollom
Minister's Office
416-326-4440

Rosie Mosquito
Chiefs of Ontario Office
(807) 626-9339
Cell: (807) 627-2483