Lubicon Lake Indian Nation
                                              Little Buffalo Lake, AB
                                              403-629-3945
                                              FAX:  403-629-3939

                                              Mailing address:
                                              3536 - 106 Street
                                              Edmonton, AB T6J 1A4
                                              403-436-5652
                                              FAX:  403-437-0719


June 18, 1990


Mr. Elijah Harper
Manitoba MLA for Rupertsland
FAX 204-956-2109

and

Mr. Phil Fontaine
Leader, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs 
FAX 204-956-2109


Dear Messrs. Harper & Fontaine:

Brian Mulroney thought that he had all of the bases covered -- all of
the bases that mattered anyway.  He hadn't dealt with aboriginal
concerns, but he didn't think that aboriginal concerns mattered.

The aboriginal people of Manitoba are teaching Mr. Mulroney that
aboriginal concerns can no longer be ignored with impunity.  It's a
lesson which isn't being lost on other Canadian politicians either, and,
as a result Canadian politics will never again be the same.  Aboriginal
people everywhere will be forever in debt to the aboriginal people of
Manitoba.

In the past week Elijah Harper and Phil Fontaine have become heroes to
people across the country -- and not just aboriginal people -- for
having the courage of your convictions and refusing to knuckle under to
the goon tactics of the Mulroney Government. Many see you as the last
best hope for Canadians to sit down and discuss -- with honour, dignity
and integrity -- the serious problems facing the country.  Moreover
there's now more real hope than has ever existed before for finally
beginning to deal with the constitutional concerns of aboriginal people.


You are true Indian warriors and statesmen, and your aboriginal brothers
and sisters couldn't be more proud of you and what you've managed to
accomplish.

A couple of years ago Teddy Moses of the James Bay Cree concluded a
speech with a quote from Winston Churchill.  Mr. Churchill is not
normally a man to whom colonized people would look for inspiration, but
the quote suits the circumstances and you might have occasion to use it. 
The quote is as follows:

            "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never --
             never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense."

Your current courageous course is the only honourable and sensible one.

You have the full support of the Lubicon Lake people.



                                              Sincerely,

                                              Bernard Ominayak, Chief
                                              Lubicon Lake Indian Nation


cc:  Canadian Aboriginal Leaders