A meeting between Premier Tony Wakeham and the Innu Nation did not happen in Ottawa earlier this week, but he says they are in the process of trying to set one up here in this province.
Wakeham was in the nation’s capital for a First Nations-First Ministers meeting.
The Innu Nation has said it will not agree to the new Churchill Falls deal if certain conditions are not met, including the provincial government changing its stance on Innu history in Labrador.
Wakeham had hoped to see the Innu Nation at an event on Sunday, but says they were not there.
When they tried to set up a meeting for later that night, Wakeham says the Innu Nation was not available.
Before heading to Ottawa, Wakeham says he penned a letter to the Grand Chief to reaffirm his commitment to fast-tracking lands claims agreements.
Leader of the Opposition MHA John Hogan (VOCM News)
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader John Hogan says the provincial government cannot move forward on Churchill Falls without the Innu’s cooperation.
He says it was “troubling” for him to hear comments from government in the House of Assembly in which they said they “hope” the Innu Nation will be there when the agreements are finalized. Hogan says the group’s rights have to be respected, and government cannot move the deal forward without them.
