Legal action is pitting ‘Cree vs. Cree’

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon and First Nation Chiefs in northeastern Ontario have affirmed their unwavering resolve to protect and defend their homelands following the commencement of legal action by the Quebec-based Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee claiming Aboriginal rights and title to lands in Ontario.

“Any effort by any government to undermine the Treaty, ancestral or territorial rights of NAN First Nations will be decisively fought at both the political and legal levels. I am confident that, on reflection, the legal action taken by the Grand Council of the Crees will be reconsidered and other solutions will be found for pursuing their issues with the governments of Canada and Ontario. In the meantime, we are united in our resolve to protect and assert our rightful authority and jurisdiction over our homelands,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.

On March 7, 2016 the Quebec Cree announced legal action in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against the governments of Canada and Ontario seeking Aboriginal rights and title over approximately 48,000 square kilometres of land in the traditional territory of several First Nations that are members of Mushkegowuk and NAN, along the southwestern shore of James Bay and the Ontario-Quebec border.

"I am a little saddened by the action taken by our Cree cousins of Quebec, and we hope they will reconsider, so that we can continue to work together as we always have, but the reality is that of course the Mushkegowuk Cree, if pushed, will fully defend our homeland, including in the courts, although I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that,” said Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon.

Chief and Council of Moose Cree First Nation have also called on the Quebec Cree to immediately withdraw this misguided lawsuit. “The Quebec Cree’s decision to file a lawsuit making a claim to our Homeland is disrespectful and wrong.

“Abandoning this lawsuit is the right thing to do and is what Moose Cree’s people expect from our neighbours in Quebec,” said Chief Norm Hardisty Jr.

“The actions by the Quebec Cree serve only to pit Cree against Cree. Filing this lawsuit, and making this claim to the Moose Cree Homeland, is deeply disrespectful to us and is not in keeping with the Cree way. We should be working to strengthen the relationships among all Cree people, not weaken them by starting lawsuits” continued Chief Hardisty.

The Moose Cree First Nation have used and occupied their Homeland since time immemorial.

Chief Hardisty explained: “we have exercised our rights under Treaty 9 throughout our Homeland since the Treaty was signed in 1905. Our Homeland is vital to us as Moose Cree and is of great spiritual and cultural significance to all our people. Our Homeland serves to support our existence and to safeguard our future. We have a deep connection with the land that has never been broken and will never be broken. We have always defended our Homeland and will continue to do so. Our lands do not belong to anyone else. Should the Quebec Cree reject our call and proceed with their lawsuit, Moose Cree First Nation is committed to taking any and all steps to protect our Homeland and our Treaty rights.”

Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Mushkegowuk Council are fully committed to defending the homelands of their members and asserting their members’ rightful jurisdiction and authority over their traditional territory and support the efforts of all NAN First Nations to protect their rights in their traditional territories.