(DRAFT - ON Canadian Yearly Meeting LETTERHEAD)
Dear Editor:
At its annual sessions held in Winnipeg this week, Canadian Yearly
Meeting (Religious Society of Friends, Quakers) received information regarding
the unfortunate and alarming situation of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation at
Cross Lake, Manitoba. As a result of consultations with its members,
Canadian Yearly Meeting exhorts the government of Canada to implement
all of the provisions of the Northern Flood Agreement (1977).
We are particularly concerned that enormous benefits have accrued to
Manitoba Hydro customers, and Canadian and Manitoba governments from the
Churchill Nelson Hydro Project while people in Cross Lake have been left
to bear human and environmental costs.
Furthermore, in light of the government commitment to Aboriginal
self-determination as stated in
ôGathering Strength
ö, we ask the
Government of Canada to honour the Pimicikamak Cree Nation citizenship laws and
accept the recent (August 17, 1999) democratic election of Chief and Council.
We intend to monitor the situation, visit Cross Lake in conjunction with
Quakers From Minnesota, and review our investment portfolios in Manitoba and
with Manitoba Hydro.
Sincerely,
