PRESS RELEASE

Algonquins Hold an Information Toll on Highway 117 to Inform Travelers About

Quebec Lifting a Mining Moratorium Threatening Waters, Lands & Wildlife
(Kitiganik, Algonquin Territory/October 10, 2016) As part of the National Indigenous Day
of Action the Algonquins of Barriere Lake are placing an Information Toll on Highway
117, which runs through their ancestral territory, recognized in 1991 by a Trilateral Land
Management Agreement with Canada and Quebec.
A junior mining company, Copper One, intends to begin drilling on the territory within
days and within the La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve. The Ministry of Natural Resources
is allowing them to proceed, without any consultation or transparency.
In June 2016, while the Council was negotiating a Draft Implementation Agreement with
Quebec to implement the 1991 and 1998 Agreements the Quebec government stealthily
lifted the moratorium on mining on their ancestral (and current-use) Trilateral
Agreement Territory, which had been in force since 2011.
The moratorium on mining activities was lifted unilaterally by the Quebec Ministry of
Energy and Natural Resources without any prior advice to, or consultation with, the
Algonquin Peoples as directed by the Supreme Court of Canada in recent case-law.
In August, 2016, representatives of the Algonquin Peoples had specifically asked for
confirmation from the Special Representative of Quebec, Mr. Mario Gibeault, that no
mining activities were contemplated on the Seaman forestry sector located on their
ancestral (and current-use) Trilateral Agreement Territory, and had obtained written
confirmation on August 6, 2016, that no mining activities were contemplated;
As a result of the lifting of the moratorium, the mining company Copper One announced
immediately after that it was preparing to start mining activities on their ancestral (and
current-use) Trilateral Agreement Territory;
Mining activities are completely incompatible with both the terms and intent of the
Trilateral Agreement of 1991, the Bilateral Agreement with Quebec of 1998, and the
2006 Joint Recommendations from Special Representatives of Quebec and Barriere
Lake, which is to ensure the continuation of our Algonquin Peoples traditional activities
and the sustainable use of renewable resources, the very reason the moratorium was
imposed five years ago, paradoxically the mining activities contemplated are to take
place within Quebecs largest Wildlife Reserve.

BARRIERE LAKE INDIAN GOVERNMENT

GOUVERNEMENT AUTOCHTONE DU LAC BARRIRE

The Algonquin Peoples have forcefully and consistently voiced their opposition to
mining activities on their ancestral (and current-use) Trilateral Agreement Territory. As
such, no mining activity (staking, exploration or development) will be accepted on their
ancestral (and current-use) Trilateral Agreement Territory.
Barriere Lake Councillor and Spokesperson, Norman Matchewan stated We are urging
all those who use and appreciate the land, waters, fish and wildlife of this area those
with whom we share our territory to join us in opposing a new, and more damaging
type of development here. We will be reaching out to like-minded groups across
Quebec and beyond to work with us to ensure the exploration activities Copper One has
in mind do not happen. We invite everyone to join us in this effort. Rest assured, we will
do what we must to protect the land.
-30For More Information Contact:
Chief Casey Ratt
Norman Matchewan
Tony Wawatie, Interim Director-General
Michel Thusky (French) Spokesperson

BARRIERE LAKE INDIAN GOVERNMENT

Cell: (819) 441-8002

Cell: (819) 441-8006
Cell: (819) 355-3662
Telephone: (819) 435-2171 & 435-2172

GOUVERNEMENT AUTOCHTONE DU LAC BARRIRE