Tribes Unite on Water
Niagara Falls, Ontario
April 12, 2005
It has been over 240 years since Great Lakes Tribes descended upon the
great Niagara Falls to discuss issues of profound consequence. This
week, representatives from over 140 indigenous Tribes from both sides
of the border participated in the most significant and historic
international gathering since the signing of the 1764 Treaty of
Niagara.
First Nations in Canada and Tribes in the United States came together
to discuss issues surrounding the Great Lakes Charter, Annex 2001. The
Annex, signed between the two provinces, and eight states is an
addendum to the Great Lakes Charter, which governs the Great Lakes
ecosystem and resources that are shared within these jurisdictions.
In November 2004, the Indigenous Nations of the Great Lakes united to
unanimously reject the Great Lakes Charter Annex, the commodification,
diversion and export of water, and the lack of inclusion in the
intergovernmental process.
Today, United Indian Nations of the Great Lakes, consisting of
indigenous leadership from: Quebec, Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota reaffirmed
the principles outlined in the Tribal and First Nations Great Lakes
Water Accord of November 2004, and committed to defining a process to
further indigenous management of the Great Lakes through the immediate
development of a task force of representatives of the Tribes and First
Nations.
“Tribes on both sides of the border are united in developing our own
parallel process and ensuring our participation in decision making
involving the management of the Great Lakes,” said Frank Ettawageshik,
Tribal Chairman of the Little Traverse Bands of Odawa Indians, and
co-chair for the United Indian Nations of the Great Lakes meeting.
“The consensus that we have reached here will guide our efforts in
responding to these issues,” said Nelson Toulouse, Deputy Grand Chief
of the Anishinabek Nations, and co-chair for the meeting. “More
importantly, we remain committed to making this our own process, done
in our own way.”
The Tribes and First Nations pledged to take back this information to
their respective councils for review and to follow through with the
2004 Accord.
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For more information contact:
Bob Goulais
Chief of Staff,
Union of Ontario Indians
Cell: 705.498.5250
Office: 705.497.9127
E-mail: goubob@anishinabek.ca