Document Information

Date: 1981-11-24
By: Aboriginal Rights Coalition, Louis (Smokey) Bruyere, NCC Charlie Watt, ICNI Georges Erasmus, Dene Nation Dave Porter, CYI Jane Gotteriedson, NWAC Bill Lee, NAFC.
Citation: TBA
Other formats: TBA (903)

November 24, 1981

c.c. Honourable Peter Lougheed

Honourable N. S. Crawford

Honourable Dick Johnston

Honourable Dr. D. J. McCrimmon

R. W. Paisley

Dr. J. Peter Meekison

* FEDINTGOVB EDM

T *

FEDINTGOVB EDM

NCC OTT

NR 00001 811124 1602

To Hon. Jean Chretien, Minister of Justice:

Last night you announced to the House that you had struck an agreement with the provinces to reinstate Section 34 with the added word :existing: to appear in the text.

We understand that you believe that the additon of this word does not change the intent and meaning of the text of Section 34 which was before the House and approved unanimously earlier this year.

We, however, have a concern that the addition of this word to the text may, in fact, be a limiting factor with regard to constitutional recognition of rights currently under negotiation through the claims process. We may very well require further clarification or elaboration to take this important aspect of our rights into proper consideration in the constitution.

We wish to acknowledge that some progress has been made towards the resolution of obtaining the recognition and affirmation of aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indian, Inuit and Metis peoples of Canada.

We appreciate your efforts to date to resolve this most pressing issue we did call your office this morning to request a meeting with you. We would appreciate your advice as to the earliest possible opportunity for a meeting today.

On behalf of the Aboriginal Rights Coalition:

Louis (Smokey) Bruyere, NCC

Charlie Watt, ICNI

Georges Erasmus, Dene Nation

Dave Porter, CYI

Jane Gotteriedson, NWAC

Bill Lee, NAFC

cc: Prime Minister Trudeau

Rt. Hon. Joe Clark Ed Broadbent, M.P.

All provincial premiers

All NCC prov. and terr. orgs.

* FEDINTGOVB EDM T