It is a right well established in international law. Yet we are being denied our right to self-determination. National Chief Matthew Coon Come speaks to delegates at the treaty conference. Billions of dollars are extracted from our land in mining, forestry, hydro-electric plants. We are not getting a fair share of that.
Game wardens charge our people for hunting and fishing on our own land.
This is a denial of our means of sustaining our livelihood. We all know of the situation in Burnt Church in New Brunswick. The people of Burnt Church are simply seeking a fair share in the resources of the fisheries. Treaties are agreements between two parties. First Nations let the white settlers live on the land for certain conditions which are contained in the treaties.