Friends of the Lubicon
485 Ridelle Ave.
Toronto, ON M6B 1K6
e-mail: fol@tao.ca
Below is a transcript of a news report regarding Alberta provincial government involvement in the pending sale of timber rights in Lubicon Traditional Territory.
CBC Radio News, Edmonton
April 5, 1999
ANNOUNCER: The Lubicon Cree in Northern Alberta say the provincial government is trying to subvert their land claim negotiations. Last year, the band secured a commitment from Daishowa-Marubeni, not to log in traditional Lubicon territory until their land claim is settled. Now, the government has put that land up for grabs to other forestry companies interested in making a bid. Teresa Drew reports.
TERESA DREW: The land in question was part of Daishowa's Forest Management Agreement with the province. Since the company is no longer using the timber, the government is looking for others who will. Fred Lennarson is an advisor to the Lubicon First Nation. He says the government's actions aren't helping the negotiation process.
FRED LENNARSON: It looks very much like the provincial government is seeking to subvert the negotiations. Certainly, to challenge politically, Lubicon jurisdiction regarding matters which are at the negotiating table for resolution.
DREW: Michael Lohner speaks for the Minister of Environmental Protection. He says the government is not trying to make things difficult for the Lubicon. Lohner says the department is simply following a government process for dealing with unallocated land.
MICHAEL LOHNER: This is one of fifteen or so forest management areas that have allocation available in them. There's a considerable amount of timber being looked at right now, and it's easiest to do it all at the same time.
DREW: Lohner says the government is just looking for input from affected stakeholders at this stage. He says the land may end up not being allocated at all. Teresa Drew, CBC News, Edmonton.