Untitled Document

Dear Minister Chuck Strahl and Mr. Pierre Nepton,

I am writing to you regarding the recent selection of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake Customary Chief and Council.
 
I am urging you and Indian and North Affairs Canada to recognize the leadership selection for the following reasons:

First, the Elder's Council in Barriere Lake confirms their Customary Governance Code was followed in this selection and that there is a broad community consensus among the eligible community members about the selection.

Secondly, the entire leadership selection respected due process, transparency, and was documented by Keith Penner, former parliamentarian and author of the Penner Report on Aboriginal Self-government. On top of Penner's documentation, several outside observers were present, including David Bleakney of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Algonquin Nation Secretariat Grand Chief Norman Young, and Chief Harry St. Denis of Wolf Lake First Nation, who all confirm that customary traditions were exercised in the leadership selection process.
 
Thirdly, Indian Affairs' recognition of Customary Chief Jean Maurice Matchewan and his Council should now be a mere administrative gesture.
 
I am aware that Pierre Nepton stated in a letter addressed to Loraine [sic Jeannine] Matchewan on June 23rd, 2009 that he would not recognize the leadership selection in Barriere Lake because of a judicial review, launched by the Elder's Council of Barriere Lake, to challenge Indian Affairs' decision to recognize a minority faction as Chief and Council in March 2008. The fact that there is an ongoing judicial review should not prevent Indian Affairs from recognizing the outcome of the leadership selection of June 24, 2009.

Once again, I strongly encourage Indian and Northern Affairs to recognize the customary Chief and Council recently selected by the Algonquins of Barriere Lake (as follows):
 
- Jean Maurice Matchewan - Chief
- Benjamin Nottaway - Councillor
- Eugene Nottaway - Councillor
- Joey Decoursay - Councillor
- David Wawatie - Councillor

In closing, you can be sure I will be closely watching the Barriere Lake leadership recognition by the federal government, and their situation broadly.

Sincerely,

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