The Innu Nation is relieved that federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has committed to reviewing a Senate Bill to amend the Canada National Parks Act in ways that would have granted permanent rights to the new Mealy Mountains National Park to over 6,000 members of the NunatuKavut Community Council.
The Innu Nation, which is one of a number of Indigenous groups that have rejected NCC’s claims as Southern Inuit, says Minister Guilbeault has acknowledged that finding the right balance between recognizing Indigenous rights holders and providing opportunities for other local users is difficult.
Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, flanked by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson in this 2022 file photo.
The Innu Nation says ensuring rights and recognition for Indigenous peoples and making allowances for local land users are “two different things.”
The Innu Nation says it has always supported access to the park for local users, as long as the park is not damaged—but somehow that was confused in the test of the Bill which would recognize all NCC members as traditional land users.
Innu Nation Grand Chief Simon Pokue
Innu Nation Grand Chief Simon Pokue says he is grateful that both the minister and members of the Senate have “shown a willingness to correct this error” before the Bill proceeds to the House.
