TREATY 3 TERRITORY- Sol Mamakwa, NDP Deputy Leader and critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations issued the following statement in response to the Mutual Cooperation Protocol signed between Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wapekeka First Nation, and Neskantaga First Nation.
“I stand with Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wapekeka, and Neskantaga First Nations as they formalize a cooperation process to strengthen their Nations.
Yesterday these Nations set out to reaffirm and exercise their inherent rights and powers to govern themselves.
The right to our ways of life on Treaty territories is continually under threat by governments, and these Nations have spoken together to protect their territorial integrity.
The right to self-determination is an inherent right upheld by our people and does not come from other governments. I urge the Ford and federal governments to uphold and honour the inherent rights of all First Nations across Ontario and not work against these assertions.”