Declaration of Interdependence <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

 the INNU People as Nation <o:p></o:p>

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“nitassinan INNU government”<o:p></o:p>

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Our Vision<o:p></o:p>

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The inevitable message from seven (7) fire prophets came to the Indigenous Nations. That they would “awaken from a long sleep”.  The Indigenous Peoples would return to the spiritual, traditional knowledge, wisdom and cultural teachings of our ancestors that originate in the old traditional ways. The sign that was given for this awakening or change was the “Eagle lands on the grandmother moon.” It is interesting to us that the words that were first uttered when the first spacecraft touched down on the grandmother moon was, “The Eagle has landed.” It was shortly after this momentous occasion that another thing happening, this one of particular interest to the Indigenous sisters and brothers of Turtle Island (North America).  The Indigenous peoples began to develop a healing, truth and reconciliation that our situation is genocide of our people, it is a long struggle and Indigenous (Innu) resistance by “colonialism”(axis of evil) that has been ongoing for more then five (5) hundred years. The “Time” had come for the first peoples of Turtle Island (North America), a time to reflect on where they were going, where they were now.  What they have, and more important is that they are, out of choices that are rapidly disappearing; “The time has come to awaken.”<o:p></o:p>

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Our Mission<o:p></o:p>

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A creation, in beginning the Great Spirit created all of our relatives in the universe.  He created the planets, grandfather sun, grandmother moon and all of our stars, spirits of our sisters and brothers. To each he gave instruction: to grandfather sun he gave a chosen path to follow, he told grandfather sun to travel across the sky in an east to west direction, providing light, warmth and comfort so that all that he would create would live in a good way.  Since that time of first instruction grandfather sun has followed these directions given to him by the creator. He gave instructions to grandfather sun to travel eastward to across the sky and to merry our mother the Earth. Mother the Earth first gave birth to all of our sisters and brothers who have roots.  Those that creep and crawl are all of the little ones seen and unseen.  She gave birth then to the finned ones, the winged ones, four (4) legged and then the four (4) directions of peoples as sisters and brothers.  To each of mother earth’s children’s the creator gave instruction. All were to live in peace and in harmony with one another.  Each was given a time to grow, to bear fruit, each was given a responsibility to see to the welfare of one another.  All of the sisters and brothers, with the exceptions some of the two (2) legged, have followed those instructions of the Creator. Those that have chosen to follow the Creator’s directions continue to learn about their rightful place in relationship to all that has been given life here upon our mother the earth.<o:p></o:p>

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OUR SOVEREIGN NATION<o:p></o:p>

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Our Elders, youth, children, mothers, grandmothers and men as Innu People are a sovereign Nation will develop a “Declaration of Interdependence”. This declaration will document the Innu People as Nation within Nitassinan Innu Government, together, in a joint statement, confirming our “sovereignty”.<o:p></o:p>

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That our sovereign Nation originates from our Creator and the Creator placed us in Nitassinan (our traditional territorial Integrity and homeland) and gave us duties and responsibilities with an inherent right to govern ourselves with his creation and within Nitassinan.  No nation has the right to interrupt or change this arrangement that cannot be taken away that was ordained by the Creator in our traditional territorial integrity of Nitassinan, also we are the keepers of our Innu lands for the future of our children, our children’s children and we cannot turn our backs on our sacred duties and responsibilities by being part of the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms; “Under the Constitution of Canada.”<o:p></o:p>

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As sovereign Innu Nation, the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms is “Under the Constitution of Canada” is not legally valid or has no legal application within our traditional territorial integrity of Nitassinan because there is no approval to be or right to be taken away by any other nation or nations from the Creator; that was given to us when he placed our Innu People in our homeland (Nitassinan) to live.<o:p></o:p>

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Our Innu Nation has the right and responsibility to dialogue in a positive way and without prejudice with a good spirit and with our people's authority and consensus; to speak for it self, which means every Innu has the right to be aware and consider these most important issues such as exercising our self-sufficiency, self-determination and self-governance in a good spirit.<o:p></o:p>

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INEVITABLE SACRED STATEMENT<o:p></o:p>

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THIS IS, I KNOW; that we are the Earth People, through the plants, from the earth our traditional medicines a cure and heal our wounds, diseases and illness and the animal world that nourish us. We are the rain and the oceans that flow through our veins. We are the breath of the forests of the land, and plants of the sea. We are human animals, related to all other life as descendants of the firstborn cell. We share with these kin a common history, written in our genes. We share a common presence, filled with uncertainly. And we share a common future, as yet untold.  <o:p></o:p>

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We humans are but one of thirty (30) million species weaving the thin layer of life enveloping the world, the stability of community of living things depends upon this diversity. Linked in that with our Creator, we are interconnected- using, cleansing, sharing and replenishing the fundamental right to elements of life. Our home (Nitassinan), planet Mother Earth, is finite; all life shares its resources and the energy from the sun, and therefore has limited growth. For the first time, we have touched those limits. <o:p></o:p>

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When we compromise the air, the water, the soil and the variety of life, we steal from the endless future to serve the fleeting present. We may deny these things, but we cannot change them.<o:p></o:p>

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THIS IS THAT I BELIEVE; human have become so numerous and our tools so powerful that we have driven fellow creatures to extinction, dammed the great rivers which means they cut the water spirit, torn down ancient forests, poisoned our Mother the Earth, rain and wind, and ripped holes in the sky. Our science has brought pain as well as joy; our comfort is paid for the suffering of millions. We are learning from our mistakes, we are mourning our vanished kin, and we now build a new politics of hope. We respect and uphold the absolute need for clean air, water and soil. We see that economic activities that benefit the few while shrinking the inheritance of many are wrong. And since environmental degradation erodes biological capital forever, full ecological and social cost must enter all equations of development. We are one brief generation in the long march of time; the future is not ours to erase. So where knowledge is limited, we will remember all those who will walk after us, and err on the side of cautions.<o:p></o:p>

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 WE RESOLVE; all this that we know and believe must now become the foundation of the way we live. At this turning point in our relationship with our Creator within mother the Earth, we work for an evolution: from dominance to partnership; from fragmentation to connection; from insecurity, to real interdependence.<o:p></o:p>

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OUR SACRED INNU Traditional Code of Ethics<o:p></o:p>

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Each morning upon rising and each evening before sleeping, give thanks for the life within us and all life, for the good things the Creator has given us and for the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Consider our thoughts and actions of the past day and seeks courage and strength to be a better person. Seek for the things that will benefit others (everyone). <o:p></o:p>

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Respect: Respect means "To feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something; to consider the well being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy”.  Showing respect is a basic rule of law of life. <o:p></o:p>

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Excerpts from OUR SACRED INNU TRADITIONAL CODE OF ETHICS and guidelines embraced by our circle of Indigenous (Innu) Nation, all the Innu People as Nation living on Nitassinan (our traditional territory) as follows; <o:p></o:p>

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v     Treat every person(s) from the tiniest child to the oldest elder which means our Elders, youth, children, mothers, grandmothers and men are Innu People as Nation with special respect at all times. <o:p></o:p>

v     Special respect should be given to Elders, youth, children, mothers, grandmothers, parents, teachers, and community leaders. <o:p></o:p>

v     No person(s) shall be made to feel "Put Down" by you; avoid hurting others hearts as you would avoid a deadly poison. <o:p></o:p>

v     Touch nothing that belongs to someone else (especially Sacred Objects) without permission, or an understanding between you. <o:p></o:p>

v     Respect the privacy of every person never intrude and on a person quiet moment or personal space. <o:p></o:p>

v     Never walk between people that are conversing. <o:p></o:p>

v     Never interrupt people that are conversing. <o:p></o:p>

v     Speak in a soft voice, especially when you are in the presence of Elders, Strangers or others to whom special respect is due. <o:p></o:p>

v     Respect the spiritual, traditional knowledge, wisdom and cultural teachings from of our ancestors that originates and old traditional ways or wisdom of people in the circle. Once you give an idea to a circle or a gathering (meeting), it no longer belongs to you, it belongs to the people.<o:p></o:p>

v     Be sincere, honest, truthful, and sincere at all times, under all conditions.<o:p></o:p>

v     Do not speak unless invited to do so at any gatherings, conferences, seminars or workshops where Elders are present (except to ask what is expected of you, should you be in doubt). <o:p></o:p>

v     Never speak about others in a negative way, whether they are present or not. <o:p></o:p>

v     Treat the earth and all her aspects as your mother. Show deep respect for the mineral world, the plant world, and the animal world. Do nothing to pollute our mother, rise up, in wisdom to defend her! <o:p></o:p>

v     Show deep respect for the Innu beliefs and religion of others. <o:p></o:p>

v     Listen with courtesy to what others say, even if you feel that what they are saying is worthless. Listen with your heart and spirit. <o:p></o:p>

v     Respect the wisdom of the people in Nitassinan Innu Government, Tribal Council, all the initiated committees belong to the nation and all the Innu various entities. Once you give an idea to all the meetings, gatherings conferences, seminars or workshops it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the people. Respect demands that you listen intently to the ideas of others in governances and leaderships and that you do not insist that your idea prevail. Indeed you should freely support the ideas of others if they are true and good, even if those ideas are quite different from the ones you have contributed. This clash of ideas brings forth the Spark of Truth. <o:p></o:p>

v     Once a idea has been decided upon;  governances and leaderships acting  in unity, respect demands that no one speak secretly against what has been decided. If the governances and leaderships have made an error, that error will become apparent to everyone in its own time. <o:p></o:p>

v     Be truthful at all times, under all conditions. <o:p></o:p>

v     Always treat your guests with honor and consideration. Give of your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and the best service to your guests. <o:p></o:p>

v     The hurt of one is the hurt of all, the honor of one is the honor of all.<o:p></o:p>

v     Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family. <o:p></o:p>

v     To serve others, to be of some use to family, community, nation and the world is one of the main purposes for which human beings have been created. Do not fill yourself with your own affairs and forget your most important talks. True happiness comes only to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.<o:p></o:p>

v     Observe moderation and balance in all things. <o:p></o:p>

v     Know those things that lead to your well being, and those things that lead to your destruction. <o:p></o:p>

v     Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect Guidance to come in many forms; in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude, and in the words and deeds of wise Elders and friends<o:p></o:p>

v     All the four (4) directions of the peoples, all the Indigenous Tribal governments and Indigenous population of the world are like the different colored plant life especially flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful; as children of the Creator or Great Spirit they must all be respected<o:p></o:p>

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THE CIRCLE OF LIFE<o:p></o:p>

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You have noticed that everything Indigenous occurs in a circular form. and works in circles, and everything tries to be round. In the old days, when we were a strong and happy people, all our power came to us from the sacred hoop of our nation and so long as the hoop was unbroken, the people flourished.

The flowering tree was the living center of the hoop and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. The East gave peace and light, the South gave warmth, The West gave rain and the North, with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. <o:p></o:p>

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This knowledge came to us from the outer world through our Indigenous (Innu) spirituality. The Power of the World does express through the circle. The sky is round and I have heard the earth is round like a ball and so are the stars. The Wind, in its greatest power whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same Indigenous (Innu) spirituality as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were. The life of man is a circle from childhood to childhood and so it is in everything where power moves. Our Teepees were round like the nests of birds and these were always set in a circle, the nation’s hoop, a nest of many nests where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children, our children’s children.  <o:p></o:p>

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Traditions, Indigenous (Innu) cultures, in their traditional nature are authentic and dynamic, fostering distinctive and sophisticated development. A sense of identity, pride and self-esteem are rooted in established spiritual principles. <o:p></o:p>

Indigenous (Innu) spiritual life is founded on a belief that there is a fundamental inter-connectedness of all natural things, all forms of life with primary importance being attached to Mother Earth. "Treat mother Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect. Remain close to the Great Spirit. Show great respect for your fellow beings, Work together for the benefit of all Mankind. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed. Do what you know to be right. Look after the well being of mind and body. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good. Be sincere, honest and truthful at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions." <o:p></o:p>

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The spirit of the Earth Peoples; we are grassroots Earth Peoples who believe in the power of sacred creation, and we are part of beautiful sacred creation, its endless gifts and beauties, honor, respect, caring, sharing, forgiveness and love are values to hold our sacred circle strong. We also believe that we are children of the good Creator, that we are born with pure, beautiful, with a wonderful life, good hearted and very special human being who received life and love as special gift from the good Creator. <o:p></o:p>

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Here is the seven (7) teachings of Innu life as we have been instructed since we came here on this beautiful Mother Earth; <o:p></o:p>

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Ø      To cherish traditional knowledge is to know wisdom.<o:p></o:p>

Ø      To know love is to know peace in life.<o:p></o:p>

Ø      To honor all of creation is to have respect with our good Creator.<o:p></o:p>

Ø      To find courage is to face life with seriousness, honesty and truthfulness. <o:p></o:p>

Ø      Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave as Innu person.<o:p></o:p>

Ø      Humility is to know ourselves, as we are a part of sacred creation.<o:p></o:p>

Ø      Truth is to know all of these things and with the good Creator’s help, we can believe in ourselves.<o:p></o:p>

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DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE<o:p></o:p>

THE INNU PEOPLE AS NATION<o:p></o:p>

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Our fundamental Innu human rights issues are based on the creation of Nitassinan (our traditional territory) with our survival and way of life, and also we firmly believe and are convinced that the Creator has placed us here on Nitassinan (our traditional territory) our beautiful Mother, the Earth; as sovereign Innu People and as a Nation from time immemorial, we are to care for each other and the animal world. We also believe we have responsibilities to take care f our sovereign Innu People as Nation, as follows:<o:p></o:p>

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• To make our own choices and freedoms.<o:p></o:p>
• To live free within Nitassinan (our traditional territory), our own endless values and identity.<o:p></o:p>
• To keep and fully exercise our fundamental human rights issues on Nitassinan (our traditional territory), traditional knowledge, wisdom and culture.<o:p></o:p>
• To be heard and understood.<o:p></o:p>
• To be fully respected, recognized and accepted as sovereign Innu People as a Nation which originates from our Creator.<o:p></o:p>
• To live free in harmony with our Creator within His beautiful creation and Mother the Earth.<o:p></o:p>
• To be respected, recognized and accepted for who we are, what we are and   where we come from… as Innu People and as a Nation. <o:p></o:p>

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interdependence<o:p></o:p>

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the nItassinan Innu government<o:p></o:p>

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Our unity to act together to form “THE DEMOCRATIC OF THE INNU CONFEDERACY” which demonstrates strengths and shows  real power to get results regarding the International, Canada, Quebec and Labrador scene.<o:p></o:p>

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SELF-Determination path to as NItAsSinan INNU Government in our traditional homeland “NITASSINAN”<o:p></o:p>

“The Democratic of the INNU Confederacy”<o:p></o:p>

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The life of force, the great spirit, provided the only  form of Government to rule on Nitassinan (our traditional territorial integrity), the democracy of Innu confederacy, only the respect of the democratic confederacy of mind and spirit will protect all the Innu people on the Nitassinan (our traditional territorial integrity) and on Mother the Earth.<o:p></o:p>

Our Nitassinan Innu Government, the democracy of the Innu confederacy, would enable Innu People to participate in the non-Innu people democratic process and assure them of an active role in the Innu rule of law(s) and here and abroad, working with an Indigenous People of the world, United Nations, Colonial government of Canada and Quebec with Government management, as a concept of a participatory democracy.<o:p></o:p>

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The empowerment of the democratic Innu Confederacy as one strong viable Innu Government comprised of Innu people as a nation, International, National, Province of Quebec and Labrador confederate components through the effective strengthening of existing of our Innu people as Nation, National and Confederate Governments with an International voice in “CANADA.” <o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that the Innu power of our self-sufficiency and self-determination can only arise from Innu authority and consensus with our political action and unity,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu power and unity can only be developed and protected under the management, authority and consensus of a “Circle of Elders”, “Circle of Women” and “Circle of Youth” through a democratic form of an Innu confederacy, by our Innu People. <o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu self-government will only be developed and protected, under a democracy through our Innu confederacy, under its own authority,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu self-determination can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy, within own authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that to form and draft our own fundamental Innu charter of RIGHTS and<o:p></o:p>

FREEDOMS under the Charter of the United Nations and international rule of law(s) can only be developed and protected under the democratic Innu confederacy within authority and consensus. <o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that equality with people of Canada and people of Quebec can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that our Innu people’s  sovereignty within our Nation as the Indigenous of Canada, can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu court and justice can only to be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu rule of law (s), legislation (s) can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Nitassinan and Innu Political Structure can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu cultural integrity and diversity can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu traditional and cultures can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu-eimoun (language) can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu-eidoun (heritage) can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu management of land, wildlife and any sustainable development impact issues can only to be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that for the Innu to re-negotiate Innu-atshee (Innu land) this can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that an Innu concept of any negotiation (s), Nation to Nations can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu treaty or any treaties can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu-Takuaikan (Leadership) can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu People of Nitassinan can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu visions can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy; with it’s authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that as a participant in own governance; any process of International government, the Democracy of Canada and Quebec can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with its authority and consensus.<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu Nation in justice and rule of law(s) internationally can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with it’s authority and consensus,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu Nation and International constitutions within United Nations Charter can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Universal Declaration of Human Rights can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy within it’s authority and consensus,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that Innu and Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples can only be developed and protected under the democracy  of  an Innu confederacy with authority and consensus,<o:p></o:p>

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Affirming that International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights can only be developed and protected under the democracy of an Innu confederacy with authority and consensus,<o:p></o:p>

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Stephen Harper
Photo PC

 

Presse Canadienne

Toronto

Le premier ministre Stephen Harper présentera des excuses aux autochtones, le 11 juin, pour les agressions qu'ils ont subies dans des pensionnats autochtones fédéraux.

 
Le ministre des Affaires indiennes, Chuck Strahl, a indiqué que le premier ministre présentera les excuses à la Chambre des communes, comme l'avaient promis les conservateurs dans le dernier discours du Trône.

Le ministre a ajouté qu'il s'agira d'excuses sincères et respectueuses telles que le réclamaient les Premières Nations depuis plusieurs années.

Le chef national Phil Fontaine n'a pas pu commenter l'annonce de M. Strahl jeudi. Dans les dernières semaines, il avait évoqué la possibilité que les Premières nations rejettent les excuses si celles-ci étaient utilisées pour empêcher la tenue de manifestations dans le cadre de la journée d'action autochtone, le 29 mai.

Plusieurs des 90 000 anciens pensionnaires survivants ont fait part de l'importance que revêtent pour eux des excuses officielles prononcées par le premier ministre au Parlement.

Le gouvernement fédéral a admis, il y a une dizaine d'années, que les agressions physiques et sexuelles étaient courantes dans les pensionnats, dont la fréquentation était autrefois obligatoire. Environ 150 000 autochtones ont fréquenté ces pensionnats, qui avaient pour objectif d'évangéliser ses jeunes élèves. Plusieurs anciens élèves se souviennent d'avoir été battus pour avoir parlé leur langue et affirment avoir été éloignés de leurs parents et de leurs coutumes.

Une commission «vérité et réconciliation» sur les agressions dans les pensionnats autochtones fédéraux doit amorcer ses travaux le 1er juin. Pendant cinq ans, les anciens élèves et membres du personnel des pensionnats de partout au Canada pourront se faire entendre.

 

Le jeudi 15 mai 2008

 

Stephen Harper
Photo PC

 

Presse Canadienne

Toronto

Le premier ministre Stephen Harper présentera des excuses aux autochtones, le 11 juin, pour les agressions qu'ils ont subies dans des pensionnats autochtones fédéraux.

 
Le ministre des Affaires indiennes, Chuck Strahl, a indiqué que le premier ministre présentera les excuses à la Chambre des communes, comme l'avaient promis les conservateurs dans le dernier discours du Trône.

Le ministre a ajouté qu'il s'agira d'excuses sincères et respectueuses telles que le réclamaient les Premières Nations depuis plusieurs années.

Le chef national Phil Fontaine n'a pas pu commenter l'annonce de M. Strahl jeudi. Dans les dernières semaines, il avait évoqué la possibilité que les Premières nations rejettent les excuses si celles-ci étaient utilisées pour empêcher la tenue de manifestations dans le cadre de la journée d'action autochtone, le 29 mai.

Plusieurs des 90 000 anciens pensionnaires survivants ont fait part de l'importance que revêtent pour eux des excuses officielles prononcées par le premier ministre au Parlement.

Le gouvernement fédéral a admis, il y a une dizaine d'années, que les agressions physiques et sexuelles étaient courantes dans les pensionnats, dont la fréquentation était autrefois obligatoire. Environ 150 000 autochtones ont fréquenté ces pensionnats, qui avaient pour objectif d'évangéliser ses jeunes élèves. Plusieurs anciens élèves se souviennent d'avoir été battus pour avoir parlé leur langue et affirment avoir été éloignés de leurs parents et de leurs coutumes.

Une commission «vérité et réconciliation» sur les agressions dans les pensionnats autochtones fédéraux doit amorcer ses travaux le 1er juin. Pendant cinq ans, les anciens élèves et membres du personnel des pensionnats de partout au Canada pourront se faire entendre.