Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy says the Ontario government's legislation to modernize Crown forest tenure is another example of a unilaterial decision made in Queen's Park that disrespects Aboriginal people.
“It is very clear that Ontario does not take the concerns of First Nations seriously with regards to the forest tenure reform as, yet again, Ontario solicits input, then unilaterally makes decisions without consideration of those who are directly impacted,” said Beardy in an April 13 press release.
NAN is a political organization representing 49 First Nations in northwestern Ontario and the James Bay region.
Final hearings on Bill 151 are taking place in Toronto this week. The refusal of the McGuinty government to hold hearings in Northern Ontario has raised a furor among community leaders and industry groups.
Beardy said the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry have reneged on commitments to recognize Aboriginal and Treaty rights in the bill. As well, the forest tenure models being proposed does not allow for community managed forests, nor consultation and accommodation of First Nations.
“The best approach is to implement a community forest tenure system putting First Nations in charge of managing forest in their homelands,” said Beardy, who added it is “nearby impossible” to work with the government “towards a meaningful relationship.”
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