Ottawa ends NunatuKavut bid for Indigenous rights recognition, NCC says

Ottawa ends NunatuKavut bid for Indigenous rights recognition, NCC says

NCC's Indigenous identity disputed by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) says the federal government has ended the group's Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination process.

In an emailed statement, the NCC says it was alerted of the decision from Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty on Friday to terminate the process, including a 2019 Memorandum of Understanding working to strengthen the relationship between the group and Ottawa. The NCC says there was no substantive reason was given for the decision.

NunatuKavut represents 6,000 self-identifying Inuit in south and central Labrador. The group identified itself as Métis until 2010, however it is not recognized by national organization Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

The NCC's Indigenous identity has also long been disputed by the Innu Nation and the Nunatsiavut government, which refers to itself as "the only Inuit treaty organization in Atlantic Canada."

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In an email to CBC News on Tuesday evening, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada spokesperson James Sinclair said the decision to terminate the 2019 MOU and the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination discussion table came about after a review of information from NCC that was meant to support the group's Section 35 rights claims.

Section 35 of Canada's Constitution Act recognizes Indigenous and treaty rights.

The federal government determined the evidence submitted in this case didn’t satisfy the court-established tests for Indigenous rights and title.

“This decision specifically concerns the assessment of Section 35 rights. It does not affect NunatuKavut's ability to apply for federal programs, services and partnerships that do not depend on Section 35 recognition,” reads the email.

Sinclair added the government has offered to meet with NCC to discuss the findings.

The 2019 MOU was signed by then-minister of Crown-Indigenous relations Carolyn Bennett and NCC President Todd Russell.

Our history has not changed: NCC

It recognized members of NunatuKavut as an Indigenous collective capable of holding rights under Section 35 of the Constitution Act.

This, despite the department having been warned by multiple senior officials, including the Privy Council Office, not to sign due to the unproven nature of the group's claims.

The agreement has been challenged in court, with the most recent dismissal of a challenge coming in 2024.

In its statement, the NCC said it's history hasn't changed.

"NCC is a strong and modern Inuit government that remains committed to the recognition of our rights and the advancement of our people’s well-being," the statement said.

"NCC will continue our important work and will pursue all avenues, including legal action, to ensure that NunatuKavut Inuit are seen, heard and respected."

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Both the Nunatsiavut Government and the Innu Nation welcomed the dismissal in emailed statements, with Innu Grand Chief Jodie Ashini calling it a "necessary and reasonable decision."

"We acknowledge the government of Canada for listening to those concerns and taking action to ensure a fair and transparent process where the voices of Innu and Inuit are heard. We view this as an important step toward protecting the integrity of Indigenous rights recognition and reconciliation,” Ashini wrote.

CBC News has contacted both the NCC and the Newfoundland and Labrador Departments of Labrador Affairs and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation for comment.

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