Credit: CBC.CA
Newfoundland and Labrador…
prepare for the storm know as the Innu Strategic Alliance. The ISA include the Innu community Chiefs of Ekuanitshit, Matimekush-Lac John, Pessamit, Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, and Unamen Shipu, representing about 12,000 people, which is 70% of the Innu nation living in Quebec. The Innu Strategic Alliance enables parties to defend their rights and, through convergent interests, to initiate joint actions of all kinds to achieve political, economic, and judicial results. An extremely sad situation has developed.
Recently 150 ISA hunters were exercising their aboriginal right to hunt on Nitassinan (Innu territory) when one of their members fell ill. At about the same time, NL conservation officers arrived and it is alleged that instead of calling for assistance to medi-vac the hunter, they detained the group for about three hours. The officers at some point realized the hunter was truly sick and called for help. The hunter was sent to Churchill Falls hospital then Goose Bay hospital and ended up in St. John’s where he passed away.
Constitutional rights, political mix ups and death of an Innu Nation member can mean only trouble for governments and companies who are attempting to extract revenues from the Innu and Nitassinan.
As for the deal that was recently inked with the NL Innu….you have been forewarned.
(PS. Mr. Jean-Marc Bellefleur age 47 of Unamen Shipu (Québec) was the Innu hunter who passed away).
Bernd Christmas
Mr. Christmas is the owner of Bernd Christmas Law Group, Barrister & Solicitor with the primary focus on Corporate and Commercial law.
He recently assisted Hill & Knowlton Canada develop its aboriginal affairs practice while in the position of Senior Vice President and National Practice Leader. As former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Membertou Band of Nova Scotia and the Membertou Corporate Division, and as a negotiator for several First Nations bands, Mr. Christmas brings a deep understanding of Aboriginal perspectives. He also brings extensive experience on national and international boards and commissions.
The first Mi'kmaw to become a lawyer in Canada, Mr. Christmas obtained his law degree in 1991 from Osgoode Hall at York University. In 1993, he accepted a position in corporate and commercial law with Lang Michener, where he also expanded the firm's Aboriginal practices.
In 2003, he was appointed by Prime Minister Chrétien to the External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation. From 2000 to 2002, he was one of three Canadian commissioners to the International Commission for the Conservation of Tuna. He is a former member of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board and of the executive committee organizing the Governor General's Conference on Leadership and Diversity. He has been a member of the board’s of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Keltic Petrochemcials Inc. and the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. He currently is a director on the board of Investors Group.
Mr. Christmas is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society and of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Ontario).
