AFN supports NAN's opposition to Bill 191

The Assembly of First Nations has thrown their support behind efforts to squash Bill 191, the Far North Act.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) chiefs declared their intention to oppose the proposed legislation through an anti-Bill 191 campaign, requesting the Ontario government immediately withdraw the Bill.
National Chief Shawn Atleo expressed his support for NAN. He said Ontario's approach to the Far North Act is inconsistent with First Nation rights and treaties.
"Especially in regions like Northern Ontario where First Nations peoples make up 90 per cent of the population, it is absolutely essential that we get this right. The path forward must be one of full respect and engagement," Atleo said.
Bill 191 was introduced in June 2009 to permanently protect at least half of the Ontario's Far North, covering an area of about 225,000 square kilometres. Chiefs said they oppose the idea because it takes away jurisdiction and decision making in First Nation traditional territories.
"We are done talking, it's time to take serious action," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy when the anti-Bill 191 campaign was launched Aug. 31. "First Nations must have a say in how and when our land will be developed. Bill 191 takes away that right for our remote communities in the Far North."
NAN is planning a rally Sept. 15 and 16 in Queen's Park in Toronto to oppose the Bill when it is scheduled for Third Reading, which means the Bill just needs royal assent before coming into effect.
Atleo said if the Bill is passed, the implications go beyond the proposed protected areas as it will directly impact Aboriginal and treaty rights in NAN but also with First Nations across the country.
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse with the Chiefs of Ontario said the province and First Nations should be working together to protect the environment while balancing sustainable economic development opportunities.
"Instead, Ontario has unilaterally introduced this legislation which would leave control over land-use planning to the government even when many First Nation communities within Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 have developed their own land-use plans and have repeatedly expressed the need to be involved in the process," Toulouse said.