ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND GRASSY NARROWS FORGE A NEW RELATIONSHIP

For Immediate Release
May 12, 2008

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND GRASSY NARROWS FORGE A NEW RELATIONSHIP
McGuinty Government and First Nation Agree To Start Negotiations On Forest Management

NEWS

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Grassy Narrows First Nation (Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek) have committed to building a strong, positive relationship based on advice provided by the Honourable Frank Iacobucci.

Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield and Chief Simon Fobister today signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Grassy Narrows First Nation.  They have agreed to create a positive, long-term relationship between the First Nation and the province by starting new talks on forest management.

The breakthrough follows six months of discussions between Grassy Narrows First Nation and former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci, who was retained to advise Minister Cansfield.

QUOTES

"This agreement is a significant advance towards a new and positive relationship with Grassy Narrows that is sustained by mutual respect and leads to improved opportunities and a brighter future for the people of Grassy Narrows," said Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield.

"I am pleased at the progress and believe that ANA and MNR can move forward based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual participation and mutual accountability," said Frank Iacobucci.

"The McGuinty government is forging a new relationship with Grassy Narrows First Nation," said Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Michael Bryant.  "This agreement builds upon our commitment to strengthen relationships with all of Ontario's First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities."

QUICK FACTS

• Grassy Narrows First Nation is located about 80 kilometres northeast of Kenora, Ontario.
• The Honourable Frank Iacobucci has had a long and distinguished career as a lawyer, law professor and deputy minister of justice.  He was a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 1991 to 2004 and is a Companion of the Order of Canada.

LEARN MORE

• More information about the talks between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Grassy Narrows First Nation.

Related Information

Backgrounder: MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND GRASSY NARROWS FIRST NATION FORGE NEW RELATIONSHIP

For More Information

Media Enquiries

David Bauer, Minister’s Office, 416-314-2212

Jolanta Kowalski, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-2106

ontario.ca/natural-resources-news

General Enquiries

Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)