News Room
September, 2007
Overfishing spurs call for title rights
Over-fishing in the Robinson-Huron treaty area, of central Ontario, has become a grave concern. So much so that local First Nations have come together to organize and plan a strategy focused on gaining control of their fisheries.
“The area’s resources have become depleted. But, the communities are not sitting around. They are taking the proactive steps to gain control of their fisheries in an effort to end the exploitation of their lakes and rivers.” says NCFNG Ontario Regional Manager Robert Houle.
Houle, along with key directorates of the NCFNG including Governance Advisory and Communications, have been working closely with leadership representing citizens within the treaty area, to develop a negotiations strategy which will be implemented in discussions with the Province of Ontario.
“Development of this strategy is an integral component in the implementation of their inherent right”, says Houle.
He adds that the First Nations people of this area have Aboriginal title which means an exclusive interest in the land itself that includes its resources; fisheries. And given that, they have the right to choose how the land and its resources can be used and to benefit from any economic gain.
“All of this becomes a process of exercising their right of being consulted and included in any government decisions affecting First Nation’s lands and resources, which are legally required, by honour of the Crown,” says Houle.
It is key principles such as these that the NCFNG is providing insight and assistance on as this issue progresses. Spearheading the discussions and planning is the Anishinabek Nation, which represents 42 Ontario First Nations.
Inclusive of the guidance on inherent right, the NCFNG has also assisted the Anishinabek Nation in securing funding from the Ontario government. The funds have been earmarked towards establishing a Fisheries Authority Framework which will grant First Nation communities more control over the fishing in their waters. This development is expected to take approximately 2 years to accomplish and will involve ongoing planning and negotiations with the Ontario government and continued direct consultation with the citizens of First Nation communities in the Robinson-Huron treaty area.
It is also expected that other Nations within the province will also be consulted in an effort to empower them as key supporters and contributors to the Framework or other similar legislation.
