Statement of Support by
Honor Our Neighbors' Origins and rights (HONOR)
Regarding
the Pimicikamak Cree Nation of Cross Lake
and the use of the Nelson River System by Manitoba Hydro
Whereas Honor Our Neighbors' Origins and Rights (HONOR) is a human rights
coalition, made up of Indians and non-Indians alike, that focuses on American
Indian issues, and
Whereas HONOR was formed in response to anti-Indian activity as a coalition
that
would stand together to affirm Native American treaties, rights, and
sovereignty, and
Whereas HONOR is dedicated to five principles
Honor government-to-government relationships and tribal sovereignty.
Affirm Indian treaties.
Honor and protect the earth and the life thereon now and for the
future.
Conduct ourselves in a manner which is respectful to all peoples.
Promote intercultural understanding and awareness;
and
Whereas HONOR is committed to serving the native community and avoiding the
mistakes of the past, where non-Indians have often "worked on behalf of" and
"spoken for" Indian peoples, and works under the advisement of a Native
American
Advisory Committee, and
Whereas HONOR seeks to speak out on issues affecting American Indian and
Indigenous peoples as well as disseminate information on issues critical to
indigenous communities, and
Recognizing that self-determination is an accepted principle of international
law which applies to all peoples, and
Whereas the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights [December 16, 1999] states that all peoples have a right to
self-determination and must be able to freely dispose of their natural wealth
and resources, and
Whereas the United Nations Human Rights Committee has recognized the situation
of Aboriginal peoples as Canada?s most pressing human rights issue [Report of
the United Nations Human Rights Committee, April, 1999], and
Recognizing that the Honour of the Crown of Canada is at stake in any and
all of
Canada's dealings with Aboriginal peoples, and that Canada?s good name and
reputation as a fair and just society is severely threatened as long as the
obligations freely entered into through agreements like the Northern Flood
Agreement are left unmet, and
Whereas the Northern Flood Agreement, signed by federal, provincial, and Cross
Lake authorities, recognized the need for continuing arbitration, and
Reaffirming that the Pimicikamak Cree Nation of Cross Lake has an authority, an inherent jurisdiction, which preceded Canadian confederacy and which has never
been surrendered,
HONOR hereby professes its support of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation of Cross Lake
as they seek a just resolution to the environmental, political, and economic
issues brought about by Manitoba Hydro?s use of the Nelson River System for the
production of electricity. We support and applaud Cross Lake as they exercise
their sovereignty and their basic right to self-determination by seeking a solution which will contribute to the social, political, cultural, and economic
well-being of their community.
Adopted by HONOR, Executive Board, July 8th, 1999.