(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,