FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2019
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB November 19, 2019 — Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels attended the Throne Speech at the Manitoba Legislature on November 19, 2019. Upon reflection of the promises made, there are a few key areas that came to SCO’s attention.
SCO listened to promises made by the Premier and are pleased to hear that the Government of Manitoba will be pushing for more extensive usage of restorative justice measures and addictions support services. SCO will continue to engage the Province in a collaborative manner with intentions of developing more culturally-appropriate, preventative measures.
SCO has identified concerns on a few key areas, such as duty to consult with First Nations, economic development strategies, hunting rights, and the announcement to hire eight new conservation officers. Grand Chief Jerry Daniels will be reaching out to the Premier and provincial Cabinet Ministers to follow up on what the future could look like in these areas.
Grand Chief Daniels states, “We will be pressing the Province on their duty to consult. If Pallister is going to rely on extracting wealth by our sharing of the land, we plan to ensure it is done equitably, while protecting the long-term health of the land.”
SCO will continue to address these issues with Premier Pallister to help our 34 member First Nations.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations of Manitoba in agreement to establish an independent political forum to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
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For further information, please contact Vic Savino, Communications Officer, at (204) 946-1869 or via email at Vic.Savino@scoinc.mb.ca.