Attachment #1: April 07, 1992, Letter from Daishowa Vice-President Tom Hamaoka to Mr. Peter A. Mertens, Executive Vice-President, Country Style Donuts Dear Mr. Mertens: Further to your letter of March 26, 1992, we are also very concerned about Country Style Donuts being drawn into the Lubicon issue and have been doing everything in our power to prevent this from happening. Since my February 7th letter, there has been some real progress. Federal and Provincial government officials have been meeting regularly with the Lubicon representatives since the middle of February and we understand that negotiations are going well. In fact, our sources indicate that the Lubicons are very encouraged with the proposals tabled to date and that there is expectation of a settlement sometime this year. Given that these talks have been going so well and that there is a good chance of an agreement, Daishowa is now seeking every method to extend the moratorium on logging in the areas of concern to the Lubicons. We hope that this new position is satisfactory to your company and that you will continue as one of our valued customers. I look forward to your reply and in the meantime, will keep you informed of any progress in this matter. * * * * * Attachment #2: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (6:30 A.M.), Friday, May 15, 1992 CBC Radio: It's hard to tell where Lubicon land claim talks are headed. Depending on who is doing the talking, there are different versions of how negotiations are going. Last week, the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs said they were making good progress. But the Lubicons are saying there is no noticeable progress. A Band advisor, Fred Lennarson, says Ottawa is playing a public relations game. Fred Lennarson, Lubicon Advisor: The only way that I can interpret it -- given what's actually going on at the table -- is that Mr. Siddon is making statements like this in response to people criticizing him for not doing anything. Basically what he says is "We're making progress, we're at the table, I can't talk about it, of course, but everything's going fine, you needn't worry about." CBC: Federal officials promised the Lubicon Cree a reserve in 1939. The two sides are trying to work out details of a land claim settlement. The latest round of secret talks started in mid- February. * * * * * Attachment #3: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (7:30 A.M.), Friday, May 15, 1992 CBC Radio: Confusion surrounds the status of land claim talks between Ottawa and the Lubicon Cree Indians of northern Alberta. Both sides have been holding private meetings since mid-February. The Government says it's making "good progress". But the Indians tell a different story. Byron Christopher explains. Byron Christopher, CBC: Tom Siddon, the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs, was in Alberta last week and he told reporters they were making "good progress" in land claim talks with the Lubicon Indians. An advisor with the Lubicon Indians does not agree. Fred Lennarson says there is no noticeable progress. Even so, Lennarson says, the Lubicons will continue to negotiate. Fred Lennarson, Lubicon Advisor: The reasons the Lubicons are staying at the table is because they're hoping progress will be made. But so far what the Federal Government has put on the table is essentially no different than what they put on the table in January of 1989. Christopher: The Lubicon Indians are involved in a land ownership dispute with the Federal Government. The Lubicons, who have never signed a Treaty, claim they own a big chunk of land east of Peace River, land that is rich in natural resources. The Government maintains the land belongs to the Crown. Byron Christopher, Edmonton. * * * * * Attachment #4: Transcript of CKUA Radio News Broadcast (12:00 Noon) Wednesday, May 20, 1992 CKUA Radio: A representative of the Lubicon Indians says it's becoming clear that Ottawa's using the current round of negotiations as a stalling tactic. Fred Lennarson says that in the months the talks have been going on, Federal officials have still not given a detailed response to Lubicon proposals and are sticking to their "take-it-or-leave-it" offer of January 1989. Lennarson says it seems Ottawa just wants to string out the process until the Lubicons give up. But Lennarson says it's tough for the Lubicons to walk away from the non-productive talks. Fred Lennarson, Lubicon Advisor: It's a very tough position for the Lubicons. Clearly there will be no settlement unless there are negotiations. But my personal conclusion -- and I'll represent it as such -- is that the Government is simply using the facade of negotiations as a tactic in order to buy time while the Lubicon society continues going down the drain. CKUA: Lennarson says there will be some kind of development in the next few days, with supporters of the Lubicons planning to take action on their behalf to shake things up but he wouldn't elaborate. * * * * * Attachment #5: May 21, 1992, News Release by Ray Martin, Alberta New Democrat Leader of the Opposition LUBICON COMMISSION LAUNCHED Ray Martin, MLA Leader of the New Democrat Opposition Ray Martin, leader of the Official Opposition, today announced a Commission of Review of the negotiations between the federal, provincial and the Lubicon Lake Indians. "This is an independent, non-partisan Commission that I was asked to organize by the Lubicons," Martin said. "Negotiations on this issue have been stalled since 1989, so it is time to try to break the impasse." The 11 member Commission will assess the relative merits of the latest proposals on the negotiating table. "I do not expect this Commission to settle the Lubicon issue," Martin said. "But I do expect the work of the Commission to provide a new start for Negotiations." Members of the Commission are participating on their own time and with their own resources or the resources of their organizations. -30- For more information: Ray Martin 422-9265 * * * * * Attachment #6: May 21, 1992, News Release by the Lubicon Settlement Commission of Review The Lubicon Settlement Commission of Review met for the first time on May 20, 1992. "As a group of concerned and interested citizens of Canada, we are looking for a way to bring this problem to an end," Father Jacques Johnson, Provincial Superior of the Missionary Oblates, and co-chair of the Commission, said at a press conference here. "All members of the Commission have an interest or concern in this situation and are bringing their diverse backgrounds to search for ways to move the negotiating process along," Father Johnson said. "We are looking for input from all participants in the process so that sufficient good will can be generated to allow meaningful negotiations to resume." Father Johnson stressed that the commission is independent of any political parties and is not prejudging motives of any of the parties to the negotiations. "Over the course of the next two months, we hope to inform the public through open hearings with all the parties to the negotiations," Johnson said. A list of the members of the Commission is attached. 30 For more information: Father Jacques Johnson 488-4767 Jennifer Klimek 425-2041 LUBICON SETTLEMENT COMMISSION OF REVIEW TERMS OF REFERENCE Whereas negotiations between the federal government and the Lubicon Lake Indians have been stalled without progress since January 1989; And whereas talks between the Lubicon Lake Indians and the provincial government of Alberta collapsed in June of 1990; And whereas the public interest requires an independent, objective review of both the federal government proposal and the Lubicon Lake Indian proposal for settlement of Lubicon Lake land rights; And whereas the federal government's most recent offer of March 1992 has not advanced the negotiations; And whereas because of the lack of progress Lubicon society continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate; Now therefore, this Commission of Review that has been convened will have responsibility to investigate, compare, assess and report publicly on: 1. The federal government's January 1989 offer as modified by the public exchange between federal representatives and Lubicon representatives in September 1989 and further modified by federal proposals presented in March 1992 and any subsequent proposals. 2. The proposed Lubicon comprehensive draft settlement agreement. 3. The relative merits of each proposal including the likelihood that each proposal would allow the Lubicons to once again become economically self-sufficient. 4. Any other matters pertaining to the proposed settlements which the commissioners may deem necessary or relevant in assessing the proposals. The report of the Commission shall be completed and released before the July 31, 1992. Members Jennifer Klimek, co-chair, environmental lawyer, partner in Karoles, Mintz, Majeski, Edmonton. Ms. Klimek has practices law for seven years; prior to this, she nursed for seven years in Alberta and Northwest Territories. Father Jacques Johnson, o.m.i., co-chair, Provincial Superior of Missionary Oblates, Grandin Province, Edmonton. Missionary among Northern Alberta native peoples, Provincial Superior of 145 missionaries working in Alberta and Northwest Territories. Wilfred Barranoik, president and general manager Northtown Paint and Wallcoverings Centres, past president Alberta Chamber of Commerce, Edmonton. Michael Asch, professor of anthropology, University of Alberta. Professor Asch worked on the Dene claim in Northwest Territories and testified before the MacKenzie Valley Pipeline Commission. Author of Home and Native Land. Edmonton. Regena Crowchild, president, Indian Association of Alberta, member of the Sarcee Nation, resides at Enoch Reserve. Menno Wiebe, Director: Native Concerns, Mennonite Central Committee (Canada), Winnipeg. Mr. Wiebe is a member of the Aboriginal Rights Council (Project North). Don Aitken, president, Alberta Federation of Labour, Edmonton. Normand Boucher, president, Boucher Bros. Lumber Ltd., Nampa. The Boucher Brother's mill has operated for 35 years in the Peace country. Theresa McBean, petroleum industry consulting engineer, Calgary. Ms. McBean's engineering experience includes 14 years with majors, minors and consulting engineers both domestically and internationally. She is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. Colleen McCrory, Valhalla Society, New Denver, British Columbia. Ms. McCrory has worked at the grassroots level, organizing and educating the public on conservation issues for 17 years. Recipient of the Governor General's Award, 1983, Equinox Award, 1989, Global 500 Award and the Goldman Environmental Prize (1992), which is awarded to one individual on each continent. Ms. McCrory is sharing her duties as co-commissioner with: Sandy Day, owner earthcycle paper corp., co-owner, You Make a Difference Company, High River. Member of advisory board, Canada Trust's "Friends of the Environment Foundation", founding member, Foothills Recycling Society and Recycling Council of Alberta. John G. MacMillan, President, MacMillan Construction Northern Ltd., Peace River. Mr. MacMillan is a third generation resident of the Peace Country. His company has provided seismic and oilfield construction services for 43 years. * * * * * Attachment #7: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (5:30 P.M.) Thursday, May 21, 1992 Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: The Alberta New Democrats have announced the formation of a Commission to help settle the land claim by the Lubicon Indians. The 11 member Commission includes the President of the Indian Association of Alberta, the head of the Alberta Federation of Labour, the President of a sawmill and an engineer with the oil industry. The Commission says it will hold public hearings over the next two months before writing a report. * * * * * Attachment #8: Transcript of CFRN TV News Broadcast (6:00 P.M.) Thursday, May 21, 1992 Daryl McIntyre, CFRN: There's another attempt to resolve the decades-old impasse between the Lubicon Indians of northern Alberta and the Federal Government. Land claim negotiations have stalled and mediation efforts by the Alberta Government have made little headway. That's why the Lubicons have asked Opposition Leader Ray Martin to form an independent commission to assess the various proposals on the table. The New Democrats formed the 11-member panel but Martin says that this group will be strictly non-partisan. The Hon. Ray Martin, Leader, Official Opposition, Alberta: In fact there're people from different political parties on this Commission, and this is the last I will have to do with the Commission. They will be on their own. I want to stress they're doing it on their own time and their own resources. McIntyre: The panel is made up of academics, labour and business leaders, and a Catholic missionary. They plan to complete the report on the state of land claim negotiations by the end of July. * * * * * Attachment #9: May 22, 1992, Edmonton Journal AD HOC PANEL STUDIES LUBICON LAND DISPUTE Committee hopes to spur stalled talks Jack Danylchuk Journal Staff Writer Edmonton An unofficial committee drawn from the ranks of the clergy, academics, lawyers, labor leaders, environmentalists and loggers has entered the Lubicon Cree land claim dispute. Introduced at a news conference Thursday by New Democrat leader Ray Martin, the 12-member panel is to report by July 31 on its assessment of government offers and Lubicon demands. "Our goal is to bring both sides together on some common ground," said panel member Don Aitken, Alberta Federation of Labour president. Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak welcomed the creation of the committee and said the band will present its position at public sessions, but it is not yet clear if the governments of Ottawa and Alberta will participate. Ominayak, federal Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon and Dick Fowler, Alberta minister responsible for native affairs, revived land claim negotiations last November. A spokesman for Fowler's office said that two months ago the talks were turned over to technical advisers, who are assessing the Lubicon demand -- valued at $170 million. Ottawa's last offer was $45 million and 246 square km., but Siddon has said that offer might be reduced because of a $47.5 million settlement last year with the Woodland Cree, whose band list includes some former Lubicons. A potential settlement with the Loon River Cree, another northern band with some former Lubicon members, could also affect the 1989 offer to the Lubicon. Federal and provincial officials met for the first time earlier this week with the Loon River band, but a settlement of their claim is at least two years away. Although some committee members have close ties to the New Democrats, Martin said "I want to stress that this is an independent, non- partisan commission that I was asked to organize by the Lubicon people to break the impasse." Father Jacques Johnson, provincial superior of the missionary Oblates, and co-chair of the commission, said "We have to bring about a conclusion to this situation of Lubicons living in a state of growing deterioration because of a lack of just settlement." "There is very strong public support for any action that will lead to a resolution," said commissioner Menno Wiebe, a member of the Mennonite Central Committee. Other members of the panel are Edmonton lawyer Jennifer Klimek; William Barranoik, a past president of the Alberta Chamber of Commerce; Michael Asch, a University of Alberta anthropologist; Regena Crowchild, president of the Indian Association of Alberta; Normand Boucher, Nampa logging company owner; Theresa McBean, a Calgary engineer; environmentalists Colleen McCrory and Sandy Day; and John MacMillan, a Peace River oil-field construction company owner. * * * * * Attachment #10: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (6:30 A.M.) Friday, May 22, 1992 Phil Henry, CBC: The Lubicon Indians of northern Alberta are keeping their fingers crossed that a new Commission announced yesterday will help get their land claim settled. Provincial New Democrats set up the Commission which plans to hold public hearings over the next two months then make recommendations on how to settle the dispute. Some members of the Commission are in the oil business and logging. The Chief of the Lubicon Indians says that doesn't bother him. Bernard Ominayak says because industry is now in the disputed territory, it should be part of the solution. Chief Bernard Ominayak, Lubicon Lake Indian Nation: It's in the best interests of all people concerned -- especially in northern Alberta where a lot of leases have been issued by the Alberta Government to the logging companies and also to oil companies. Henry: The Lubicon Cree of northern Alberta have been trying to get a reserve since 1939. * * * * * Attachment #11: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (4:30 P.M.) Friday, May 22, 1992 Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: The Federal Government is refusing to say anything about a Commission set up by the Alberta New Democrats to try and settle the Lubicon land claim. The 12-member group was announced yesterday. It plans to make recommendations to the Federal and Provincial Governments. Wayne Hanna with Indian and Northern Affairs won't comment on the Commission. He says the Department doesn't want to jeopardize sensitive discussions taking place now. Federal and Provincial officials have been negotiating with Band lawyers since mid-February. * * * * * Attachment #12: May 28, 1992, Edmonton Sun LAND CLAIM DELAYS 'FRUSTRATE' LUBICONS Chief accuses federal, provincial governments of 'fooling around' By David Bray Staff Writer The federal and Alberta governments are "fooling around" in efforts to settle the 50-year-old Lubicon Lake band land claims, says Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak. "It's getting pretty frustrating," Ominayak said in Edmonton yesterday. "We can't spend any more time sitting around having coffee." He was speaking to reporters after joining an Alberta Federation of Labour rally at the legislature. About 300 union, student, seniors and aboriginal representatives took part in the rally as part of the AFL's annual convention. Ominayak told reporters government officials are to blame for the lack of progress in talks over the band's claim to land centered on Little Buffalo, 345 km northwest of Edmonton. Talks with Ottawa have been stalled since 1989. Negotiations with Alberta collapsed in June 1990. The federal government has offered the Lubicon Cree $45 million and 246 sq. km of territory. The band wants $167 million, a demand Ottawa has said is too high. Premier Don Getty, a strong backer of the Lubicons, has said the federal offer isn't enough to ensure the 500-member band's future economic development. Ominayak said yesterday federal and provincial ministers have agreed on a process to settle the land claim but nothing is happening. "They turned it over to their people and their people do everything in their power to take it apart," he said. "Either they put somebody in charge who can do the job or the minister himself does it. Any more of this fooling around or take- it-or-leave-it offers aren't going to go (anywhere)." Ominayak said he's still optimistic a settlement can be worked out on the band's claim which dates back to 1939. Alberta New Democrats launched an 11-member commission last week to study the talks in a bid to get negotiations moving. A report is expected by July 31. Alberta's native affairs minister Dick Fowler wasn't available for comment yesterday. * * * * * Attachment #13: May 31, 1992, Edmonton Sunday Sun LUBICON HEARINGS BEGIN Lubicon Lake band chief Bernard Ominayak is slated to head a parade of witnesses tomorrow as public hearings begin in Edmonton on the band's 50-year-old land claims. The hearings, called by the Lubicon Settlement Commission of Review, are scheduled to run tomorrow and Tuesday at St. Joseph's Parish Hall, 11355 Jasper Avenue. Alberta New Democrat leader Ray Martin set up the committee this month to assess the Lubicon claims in a bid to get the stalled negotiations moving again. The commission is expected to release its report by July 31. The 500-member band last year rejected a federal government of $45 million and 246 sq. km of land centred on Little Buffalo, about 345 km northwest of Edmonton. The band is seeking $167 million, a demand Ottawa has said is excessive. Talks with Ottawa have been stalled since 1989. Negotiations with Alberta collapsed in 1990. * * * * * Attachment #14: Transcript of CFRN Television News Broadcast (11:30 P.M.) Monday, June 01, 1992 Chris O'Brien, CFRN: The land claim dispute between Alberta's Lubicon Indian Band and the federal and provincial governments moved one step closer to being resolved today. The Lubicon claim is the subject of a special Commission hearing this week in Edmonton. Earlier today the Commission heard the Natives' concerns. Next they'll hear officials from both levels of government. A final report containing various recommendations is expected by the end of next month. * * * * * Attachment #15: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (6:30 A.M.) Tuesday, June 2, 1992 Phil Henry, CBC: A new Commission has begun looking into the Lubicon Lake Indian land claim dispute. The Commission was set up by Alberta's New Democrats last month. It's intended to be a non- partisan citizens group which will make recommendations on how to bring the sides together. The Lubicon Cree of northern Alberta have been trying to settle their land claim for more than 50 years. Yesterday the Commission began public hearings in Edmonton, but the Lubicons were the only ones there to answer questions. Jennifer Klimek, a co-chair of the Commission, says her job will be harder if Ottawa doesn't take part in the process. Jennifer Klimek, Commission Member: We'll have to look at what information we have and assess it in light of the written proposals. It would certainly be beneficial to hear their explanation of it, to be able to ask them why and how come these things are in there. But if they don't show up I guess we won't have that opportunity. Henry: Klimek says the Commission has invited the federal government to take part in the hearings but so far there's been no response from Ottawa. * * * * * Attachment #16: June 02, 1992, Edmonton Journal LUBICONS WON'T ACCEPT 'NEW ZOO' Ian Mulgrew Journal Staff Writer Edmonton The Lubicon Cree are being offered "a new zoo" by the federal government to give up their land claim, says spokesmen for the band. Chief Bernard Ominayak told an unofficial commission trying to break the deadlock in the land claims negotiation that no progress has been made since talks began nearly four years ago. "They're stalling and stalling and stalling," Ominayak told the 12- member commission created by the Alberta New Democrats. "In the meantime, they're stealing and stealing and stealing. They're stealing our resources 24-hours a day." Oil revenues from production in the area has been estimated at $8 billion, he said. "With the billions of dollars that have been extracted from our traditional territory, there has not been one red cent come to the community other than welfare." Although commission members describe themselves as non-partisan and self-supporting -- they're paying their own way -- the members are sympathetic to the Lubicon cause. Co-chairman Jennifer Klimek said that in spite of the panel's leanings, she hoped people wouldn't dismiss the report when it's released. The federal and provincial governments have been invited to appear before the commission later this month but have not yet replied. The eight commissions Monday at the first public meeting, held in the basement of St. Joseph's Basilica, outnumbered spectators if the media weren't counted. Ominayak, flanked by his advisers (lawyer Bob Sachs and consultant Fred Lennarson), said the ban claims about 10,000 square km between the towns of Red Earth and Peace River. It also wants compensation of about $170 million. Ottawa has made a take-it-or-leave-it offer of $45 million and 246 square km. "This is a proposal that in my judgment, and the judgment of every other person I know who's looked at it closely, would be tantamount to building a zoo for the Lubicons -- a new zoo -- and then feeding them on welfare," Lennarson said. "That's the difference." * * * * * Attachment #17: June 03, 1992, Edmonton Journal LUBICONS FED UP WITH CLOSED-DOOR LAND-CLAIM TALKS Karen Hawthorne Journal Staff Writer Edmonton The Lubicon Cree say they are fed up with playing politics and anxious to make all settlement negotiations public. Negotiations don't seem to work behind closed doors, Chief Bernard Ominayak told an unofficial commission Tuesday. The commission, set up by the Alberta New Democrats to break the four-year deadlock over land claim talks with Ottawa, is holding hearings in the basement of St. Joseph's Basilica. "We're not any closer to a settlement than we were in the past," Ominayak said, "but nevertheless we are here." The Lubicon reject the federal government's take-it-or-leave-it offer of $45 million and 246 sq. km of land. They want...$170 million in compensation for hardships on traditional native lifestyles wrought by land developers and oil production. "We've been compromising and compromising and waiting and waiting for many years for an agreement," Ominayak told the 12-member commission, which describes itself as non-partisan but sympathetic toward the Lubicon cause. "(The government) doesn't like to see native people stand up and fight." Even if the Lubicon accepted the settlement "it would take another five years of red tape before any money came through," said Ominayak's adviser Fred Lennarson. Commission member Menno Wiebe says it is important to go public with such information. "The fact that the government deprives the public of the content of negotiations questions the democratic system," said Wiebe, a member of the Mennonite Central Committee. Commission co-chairman Jennifer Klimek said the report, which will assess government offers and Lubicon demands, is due by the end of July. * * * * * Attachment #18: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (6:30 A.M.) Wednesday, June 3, 1992 Phil Henry, CBC: A lawyer for the Lubicon Indians says the Federal Government wants to muzzle the Lubicon Chief, Bernard Ominayak. Bob Sachs made the comment at a public hearing in Edmonton yesterday. A citizens' commission is trying to find ways to settle the Lubicon land claim dispute. Sachs told the Commission he met with Harry Swain, a Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs last week. He says Swain told him the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs didn't like comments Chief Ominayak had made about the slow pace of land claim negotiations. And Sachs says he was told Ominayak had better stop commenting publicly on the talks. Bob Sachs, Lubicon lawyer: Apparently the Minister didn't particularly like those comments and so Mr. Swain delivered the message that unless the Chief kept quiet they were going to pull away from negotiations. Henry: Sachs says the government may already have broken off negotiations which resumed in February, but he says Ominayak will not stop speaking out about the Lubicon situation. The Lubicon Cree of northern Alberta have been trying to settle their land claim for more than 50 years. * * * * * Attachment #19: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (4:30 P.M.) Wednesday, June 3, 1992 Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: A Federal official is denying he said Chief Bernard Ominayak should stop talking to reporters about how land claim talks are going. Yesterday the lawyer for the Lubicon Cree reported that Harry Swain, the Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs, told him "Ominayak had better keep quiet". Bob Sachs said that if Ominayak didn't keep quiet, the government would "pull the plug" on talks. Sachs says the comments were made on Friday. Swain couldn't be reached for a response, but a department spokesperson says Swain "categorically denies" making the comments. Wayne Hanna also says the government will not negotiate through the media. Bob Sachs stands by his account. He says Swain made the threat not once, but several times during their discussion. * * * * * Attachment #20: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (5:30 P.M.) Wednesday, June 3, 1992 Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: A Federal official denies he said Chief Bernard Ominayak should keep quiet about how land claim talks are going. Ottawa and the Lubicon Cree Indians have been negotiating since February. Yesterday a Band lawyer accused the official of trying to muzzle Chief Ominayak. Byron Christopher reports. Byron Christopher, CBC News: It was Bob Sachs, the lawyer for the Lubicon Nation, who made the allegation. He said Harry Swain, the Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs, warned him last week that Bernard Ominayak better keep quiet about how talks were going. Ominayak had told reporters that talks were going nowhere. His remark followed a comment by the Indian Affairs Minister to reporters that talks were going great. According to Bob Sachs, Swain threatened to "pull the plug" on negotiations if Ominayak continued to speak out. I could not reach Harry Swain, but the head of the Department's Communications Branch in Alberta, Wayne Hanna, said Swain categorically denies making those comments. Hanna also had this to say. Wayne Hanna, Alberta Indian Affairs Communications Director: Canada doesn't want to pull out of the negotiations and is committed to negotiating a settlement and building a new community. But Canada will not negotiate in the media. Christopher: Bob Sachs is sticking to his story about the threats allegedly made by Swain. He said he and another man at the meeting made notes on what was said. Bob Sachs, Lubicon Advisor: It was mentioned on more than one occasion in various forms including phrases such as "we'll pull the plug" and phrases like "you can't suck and blow at the same time". Christopher: The federal government maintains the talks are still on. Byron Christopher, CBC News, Edmonton. * * * * * Attachment #21: June 1992 Alberta Native News Editorial by Dale Stelter WHEN WILL JUSTICE BE DELIVERED TO THE LUBICON? As Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak, accompanied by several Lubicon members and two band advisers, spoke to the Lubicon Settlement Commission of Review, one question kept going through my mind. How many times does this story of the decades of destruction, deceit and betrayal that have been perpetrated upon the Lubicon have to be told? How many times, before the federal and provincial governments finally find the moral fibre and honour necessary to give the Lubicon a proper and just settlement? As has been the case on nearly every other occasion that I have heard Chief Ominayak speak, you could look around and see the shocked looks on the faces of many of the people in the audience. At the same time, there are many parts of the Lubicon story that, no matter how many times I hear or come across them, always leave me feeling as if I've been kicked hard right in the stomach. And it seems that there are always some additional components of the story to learn about. The courage and determination that the people this small band of northern Cree have shown, in the face of staggering and seemingly impossible obstacles and odds, literally defies description. No matter how many atrocities that either level of government and the omnivorous resource companies have piled upon the Lubicon, they have survived and they're still here. Similarly, in comparison to the courage and integrity of the soft- spoken Chief Ominayak, many so-called leaders in non-Native society should be hanging their heads in glaring, abject shame. The question must also be asked yet again as to what kind of a society this is, in which great numbers of people would not only allow the disgraceful and despicable treatment which the Lubicon -- and Natives across the country -- have had to endure, but would also turn their backs upon the whole thing. And while large numbers of people define a life crisis in terms of choosing what kind of designer clothing to buy, and try to instantly improve the quality of their life by buying a more expensive car, the plight and the agony of the Lubicon continue. Even in the face of such rampant self-interest and hopeless apathy, the Lubicon, with characteristic tenacity, are steadily reaching more and more people across the country and around the world, and the list of supporters continues to inexorably grow. Hopefully, the day is not far in the future when the numbers of such supporters can help the Lubicon turn back the tide represented by morally shipwrecked governments, and by the rotted-out values of the chronic clothes-and- car-buyers who help elect them. * * * * * Attachment #22: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (5:30 P.M.) Thursday, June 04, 1992 Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: Members of an Ottawa-based group that advocates justice for Native people plans to visit the Lubicon Cree Indians next week. Seven members of the Aboriginal Rights Coalition plan to be in Little Buffalo on June 11th. The group is inter- denominational. People travelling to Little Buffalo include Roman Catholics, Mennonites and Anglican. A delegation from the same group was in the area in 1984 on a "fact-finding" visit. A group spokesman says they want to see what has happened in 8 years and prepare a report for the World Council of Churches in Geneva. During its 1984 visit, the aboriginal rights coalition criticized the federal government for not doing enough to protect the Indians. It also supported a claim by the World Council of Churches that the Lubicons were victims of "cultural genocide." * * * * * Attachment #23: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (7:30 A.M.) Friday, June 5, 1992 Phil Henry, CBC News: Church leaders who visited northwestern Alberta in 1984 to assess the Lubicon Indian situation are planning a return visit. Members of the Ottawa-based church group, the Aboriginal Rights Coalition, say they'll visit Little Buffalo on June 11th. Eight years ago after a visit to the Lubicons, the group criticized the federal government for not doing enough to protect the Cree. A group spokesperson says they want to see what has happened since then. Lorna Schwartzentruber says after the visit the group will file a report with the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches. * * * * * Attachment #24: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (8:30 A.M.) Friday, June 5, 1992 Phil Henry, CBC News: CBC News has learned that the Minister of Indian Affairs is flying to northern Alberta this morning to talk with the Chief of the Lubicon Indians. Tom Siddon will be meeting Chief Bernard Ominayak at noon. The meeting will be in Little Buffalo about 100 kilometres east of Peace River. It's the first time the federal Minister of Indian Affairs has visited the Cree settlement. He'll be accompanied by Dick Fowler, the Provincial Minister responsible for Natives. Relations between the federal government and the Lubicons have been strained lately. Lubicon negotiators have accused Ottawa of trying to muzzle Chief Ominayak with threats. They say Ottawa told them that the Chief shouldn't talk to reporters about the land claim negotiations. The Lubicons have been trying to get a reserve for more than 50 years. * * * * * Attachment #25: Transcript of CKUA Radio News Broadcast (12:00 Noon) Friday, June 5, 1992 CKUA: Federal Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon is meeting today in Little Buffalo with Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak. This is the first time a federal Indian Affairs Minister has visited the Lubicon settlement. Lubicon advisor Fred Lennarson said Siddon indicated he wants to get the on-going land claim negotiations back on track. Lennarson says he has no idea whether anything new will come out of the meeting. However, Lennarson says this likely won't be a closed session as in the past, because Ominayak has been invited to bring along anyone he wants. Fred Lennarson, Lubicon Advisor: I won't be surprised if this meeting is an open meeting. That's been the Lubicon position all along. They would rather do all of this business openly here and in Ottawa and in Edmonton and any place else because when these things happen behind closed doors we then get all kinds of statements made by government officials which bear little relationship to the truth. So we'd rather have it all happen in the open so people can see for themselves what's going on. CKUA: The Alberta Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, Dick Fowler, will also be at today's meeting. The Lubicon have been trying to get a reserve for more than 50 years. * * * * * Attachment #26: Transcript of CFRN TV News Broadcast (11:30 P.M.) Friday, June 5, 1992 Chris O'Brien, CFRN: Negotiations continued today on a controversial land claim dispute involving Alberta's Lubicon Indian Band. Federal Indian Affairs Minister Tom Siddon says he and his provincial counterpart explored a variety of issues today with Lubicon Band leader Bernard Ominayak. Siddon became the first federal Minister to visit the Little Buffalo reserve in northern Alberta. He promised not to prolong the land claim dispute any further. The Lubicons first applied for a land and cash settlement over 50 years ago. * * * * * Attachment #27: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (12:00 Noon) Friday, June 5, 1992 Phil Henry, CBC News: The federal Minister of Indian Affairs is on his way to northern Alberta to meet with the Chief of the Lubicon Indian Band. The Band and Ottawa are trying to work out a land claim agreement. Our reporter Byron Christopher is following the story in Peace River. Byron, why is this meeting important? Byron Christopher, CBC News, Peace River: Land claim talks between the Lubicon Cree and the federal government are probably at the make- it-or-break-it point. As you know the two sides resumed negotiations in Edmonton around mid-February. These talks were behind closed doors, as they say. But this week on Tuesday the doors were pried open a bit when the lawyer for the Lubicons, Bob Sachs, dropped a bombshell at a public meeting in Edmonton. Sachs told people that federal officials threatened Chief Bernard Ominayak that they'd "pull the plug" as they put it on land claim talks if Ominayak didn't stop talking to reporters about how talks were going. Ominayak and advisor Fred Lennarson, for that matter, have been telling reporters that talks are not going too well. Tom Siddon, the Indian Affairs Minister, has been saying the opposite. He's been saying that talks are going great. So that's part of the problem. But inside sources tell me that Tom Siddon is making a more determined effort than previous Crown Ministers in getting the Lubicon land claim settled. Remember this dispute has dragged on since 1939. The importance and the urgency of this meeting is underscored by the fact that a.) Tom Siddon asked for the meeting; b.) he put the call in yesterday to the Band and flew out today; and c.) he's willing to meet Chief Bernard Ominayak on Ominayak's turf and no Indian Affairs Minister has done that before. Henry: CBC reporter Byron Christopher. * * * * * Attachment #28: Transcript of CBC Radio News Broadcast (4:30 P.M.) Friday, June 5, 1992 CBC: Krysia Jarmicka is here with the latest in regional and local news. Krysia, the news that Tom Siddon had gone up to meet with Chief Bernard Ominayak sort of got people anticipating that maybe there has been a settlement. Is there any word yet? Krysia Jarmicka, CBC News: Well, there's no settlement to the Lubicon land claim in spite of those high level talks in northern Alberta this afternoon. Tom Siddon, Minister of Indian Affairs, met for more than an hour with Chief Bernard Ominayak and 30 other members of the Lubicon Band. Dick Fowler, the provincial Minister Responsible for Natives was also there. The meeting took place in a machine shed at Little Buffalo, one hundred kilometres east of Peace River. Siddon wouldn't say how much progress was made today but he did say the trip was worth it. Tom Siddon, Federal Minister of Indian Affairs: I'm hopeful that by coming here and by listening to the people, the Elders and also having them have an opportunity to hear of the approach that we're taking that I feel optimistic. I'm always optimistic that the solution can be found... Jarmicka: Ominayak said little was accomplished. He said he hoped the government would seriously consider an offer he made more than 6 months ago. He says Ottawa agreed today to study the offer. It's not known when the two sides will meet again.