EAGLE VILLAGE FIRST NATION KIPAWA (MIGIZY ODENAW)

P.O. BOX 756 TEMISCAMING (QUEBEC)

J0Z 3R0 TEL: (819) 627-3455 madeleine.paul@evfn.ca FAX: (819) 627-9428

PRESS RELEASE

Algonquin Chief Madeleine Paul Confirms No Development of Lands and Resources in Mattawa

Region is Legal Unless Eagle Village First Nation Gives Consent (Eagle Village, Algonquin Territory/February 24, 2015) Chief Madeleine Paul today stated that as a successor band to the historic Mattawa band, the Eagle Village FIrst Nation asserts Algonquin Aboriginal Rights and Title to the Mattawa region. On January 23, 2013, Eagle Village First Nation (along with Wolf Lake and Timiskaming First Nations) announced their assertion of Aboriginal rights and title to their traditional territories. The purpose of the announcement was to put other governments on notice, and to establish a firm basis for an effective consultation and accommodation process regarding developments that impact on their rights. The territory covered under this Assertion of Rights and Title, measuring over 34,000 square kilometres, straddles the Quebec-Ontario border along the Upper Ottawa River (see attached map), with a large portion of it located in Ontario. The evidence, which has been in preparation for almost 22 years, shows that these communities are descended from the Algonquin bands that traditionally used and occupied the territory, and that they meet the legal tests for establishing rights and title. Because the rights being asserted are trans-boundary, this will require the attention and commitment of the government of Canada, as well as the governments of Quebec and Ontario. There are also some significant areas of overlap with the so called "Algonquins of Ontario" claim, which will need particular consideration in the short term. The only Algonquin Chief based in Ontario who the Eagle Village First Nation recognizes is Pikwakanagan (Golden Lake) Chief Kirby Whiteduck. The Eagle Village First Nation questions the so-called Algonquins of Ontario because it is a policy fiction created by the Ontario and federal governments for negotiation purposes. Chief Paul stated it remains to be seen if these non-status groups who claim to be Algonquins even meet the legal tests set out under the recent Tsilhqotin decision to be title holders. Chief Madeleine Paul also stated there can be no legal development of lands and resources in the Mattawa region without the consent of Eagle Village First Nation because it is our Aboriginal Title territory. We also have Eagle Village community members based in Mattawa who have Aboriginal Rights and Title because they are connected to and members of our community.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Chief Madeleine Paul: Office: (819) 627-3455

Lac Sairs

Lac Kipawa Lac Dumoine

Ottawa River

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MattawaNorth Bay

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Ville-Marie

Tmiscaming

Rouyn-NorandaKirkland Lake

Hunter's Point

Temiskaming ShoresTimiskaming Indian Reserve

Eagle Village Indian Reserve

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Timiskaming, Wolf Lake and Eagle Village: Asserted Aboriginal Rights AreaThis map shows the area over which the Algonquin FirstNations of Timiskaming, Wolf Lake, and Eagle Villageassert continuing Aboriginal rights. This territory, whichmeasures approximately 34,209 square kilometres (13,208square miles), straddles the Ontario - Quebec border, andincludes the areas over which each of these communitiesasserts its own Aboriginal title, as well as Aboriginal rights.The Timiskaming, Wolf Lake and Eagle Village First Nationsalso assert rights over the traditional territory of theAlgonquin nation (see inset below) that inhere as a result ofbeing part of the Algonquin nation.The inset map below shows Algonquin Nation territory in theperiod 1850-1867. The total area of the nations territory atthis time measured about 195,772 square kilometres(75,587 sq mi), of which 38% lies in what is now theprovince of Ontario. For reference purposes, the map alsoshows the boundary established by the Royal Proclamationof 1763 between the new British Colony of Quebec (carvedout of the former French colony of Canada or New France)and Indian Territory.

... an aboriginal society asserting the right to live on itsancestral lands must specify the area which has beencontinuously used and occupied. That is, the generalboundaries of the occupied territory should be identified. Irecognize, however, that when dealing with vast tracts ofterritory it may be impossible to identify geographical limitswith scientific precision. Nonetheless, this should notpreclude the recognition of a general right of occupation ofthe affected land. Rather, the drawing of exact territoriallimits can be settled by subsequent negotiations betweenthe aboriginal claimants and the government.Delgamuukw v. British Columbia [1997] 3 S.C.R. 1010, perLa Forest, J., at para. 195

LegendOntario & Quebec Boundary Commission line of 1875Height of landTimiskaming, Wolf Lake, and Eagle Village Rights Area

Without prejudice and for discussion only. This map isprovisional. Boundaries are based on the results ofresearch to date and may change as additional materialsare discovered. This map is not to be displayed, used, orreproduced without prior approval of the Algonquin NationSecretariat.Prepared by Pierre Giaro for the Algonquin NationSecretariat, January 2013. RN 51836.

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ONTARIO

TEL: (819) 627-3455 madeleine.paul@evfn.ca FAX: (819) 627-9428