"National Chief supports a halt to Sable Gas Project"

The Assembly of First Nations is calling for a halt to the Sable Gas Projects in Nova Scotia until such time as she demands of the Mi'kmaq Chiefs and people are met. The lack of consultation with the First Nations on this issue is at odds with the Joint Public Review Panel Report on the Sable Gas project from October 1997 and the recent Supreme Court rulings recognizing Aboriginal title to lands and resources in Canada. The Report called for a written agreement between the project proponents and the Mi'kmaq as a condition for regulatory approval.

"This has obviously not been the case here and we want the government to do the right and honorable thing," said National Chief Phil Fontaine.

"The Supreme Court ruling in Delgamuukw is very clear in recognizing our rights and the obligations of governments to consult us and deal with us in good faith in all areas dealing with lands, resources and any other issues that has any effect on us."

The National Chief is asking the provincial government to halt any development until such time as negotiations between the government, the business partners and the First Nations resolve the outstanding issues and all parties are involved as equal partners in this dispute.

"Governments must realize that we are all equal part of the equation when any form of development happens on our lands. The Churchill Falls development is another example of lack of respect for the law of the land and I would hope that all governments start respecting the decisions of their courts in their dealings with our peoples" said Chief Fontaine.