Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation

February 27, 2007

Open Letter to Mr. Robin Aitken

Federal Negotiator
Open Letter to Mr. Brian Crane
Ontario Provincial Negotiator
Algonquins in Ontario Land Claim Negotiations
Via e-mail

Mr. Aitken and Mr. Crane,

Please accept this letter as part of our continued communications and Land Claim Negotiations
process asserting the legal and moral right to inclusion of the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation
and the affiliated Kichi Sibi Anishnabe.

As you are by now aware there is no historical proof that the Algonquin people were ever organized
into one single political unit, and that historical fact actually confirms the opposite. While there
existed a cultural grouping that shared a common language, certain cultural aspects and a common
territory there was also great diversity and political autonomy amongst what is commonly referred to
as the “Algonquins.” However one group that is clearly documented to have acted in a more visibly
politically organized manner in relation to European settlers was the Kichesipirini and the associated
Kichi Sibi Anishnabe. This group can be demonstrated to hold exceptionally powerful Aboriginal
right and title, therefore posing a serious risk to the current status quo. It is not any wonder then that
there has been tremendous energy invested in attempting to avoid dealing specifically with this
particular Algonquin group and their associates. Such avoidance can be interpreted as centuries old
genocide. A careful and intelligent examination of the facts can lead to no other conclusion as to why
such an influential group should disappear, and not be included in the current negotiations, or that
there is tremendous attention vested by certain incorrigible groups to “acquire” or assume the
identity, territory and jurisdiction within the current process.

Unfortunately the continued refusal and dismissal tactics of the federal and provincial governments
to meet their even most rudimentary obligations to this Indigenous community place these
governments in a precarious situation of possible complicity to genocide. Of course any sophisticated
attempts to create an alternative Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation and Kichi Sibi Anishanbe
community would at this point be clearly recognized as another genocidal maneuver. The potential
for such maneuvers has lay dormant within the seriously flawed negotiations process and structures
currently sanctioned and funded by both the federal and provincial governments and promoted by the
government representatives. The Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation has been repeatedly
identifying these irregularities and communicating these concerns to the various ministries. Consider
such communications now as service of notice.
I have just recently attended another meeting held within Kichesipirini jurisdiction and territory
without the proper exercise of protocol or common respect. While the Algonquins of Greater Golden
Lake clearly have a history of attachment to the Golden Lake region, as well as rented facilities for
holding community meetings, they and the Bonnechere Algonquins continually insist on holding
community meetings and events outside their own territories and jurisdiction. They justify this
claiming that the current negotiation process gives them such jurisdiction through the creation of the
“Algonquins of Ontario” Nation, and therefore hold right to the entire territory. Digital photographs
taken of maps and other documents presented at this meeting by Patrick Glassford clearly
demonstrate that significant numbers of Kichesipirini descendents are currently held hostage by these
provincially and federally approved groups, and that these blatant breaches of human and Aboriginal
rights will now be used to further the agenda of genocide against the legitimate Kichesipirini Kichi
Sibi Anishnabe group.

Through the combined wrongful holding of approximately 2600 Kichesipirini descendents within the
Bonnechere and Greater Golden Lake communities these two groups, apparently soon to amalgamate
under the leadership of Richard Zohr claim the right to control the territory, including rights
concerning hydro electricity generation and the right to negotiate with foreign countries such as
China. Before the group of approximately 15 members Patrick Glassford claimed the new group’s
plans to create new reservations, establish a casino and build an independent airport within
Kichesipirini territory. This newly combined group further claims that the court systems or legal
systems of Canada do not apply and will have no jurisdiction. An Algonquin Tribunal will decide all
law. Following the logic of using usurped members from other legitimate groups it can be assumed
that their plans will also be applied to the other clearly identified groups of Ottawa and Mattawa.
This proposal was presented to the negotiations table during the meetings held in Pembroke of
February 14, 15, 16 by Mr. Richard Zohr and Mr. Glassford prior to the presentation to the
Algonquins of Greater Golden Lake community, or the grassroots people.

Such continued flawed thinking, as previously stated, will have serious implications throughout the
entire territory should it not be immediately corrected.

It is very obvious that there is a veiled attempt attached to these land claim negotiations to expand
the jurisdiction of the Indian Act band and reserve of Pikwakanagan, formerly known as the Golden
Lake Band of Algonquins, or the Bonnechere Algonquins. In order to facilitate this hidden agenda it
would be necessary to gain the willing cooperation of some individuals to trick the uneducated and
unsuspecting non-status majority Algonquins into negotiating away their inherent rights and title, and
like sheep led to slaughter, unknowingly agree to political subjugation and control by the Indian Act
band, exchanging their broad rights for limited “services” and possible educational and employment
opportunities. Of course such an arrangement would have tremendous benefit to both the federal and
provincial governments as well as all municipalities within the territory, while giving the appearance
that justice has been served and all is well within the region.

The most expedient approach to facilitating such a diabolical and sophisticated plan is to ensure that
there is plenty of legroom for corruptible leaders to find their way into positions of power and
influence. This is done by acts of commission combined with subtle acts of omission. A critical
examination of the structures and processes of the entities associated with this negotiation exposes
serious flaws and irregularities that would not be tolerated as good business practices in any other
realm other that Aboriginal politics. While claiming to be open, accountable and transparent the
process is clearly not. The provincial government does not even have any clear policy developed
regarding negotiations. The federal government allows for serious accountability sub-standards to
exist when doing business with Aboriginal organizations, releasing large sums of money prior to the
clear demonstration of good business practices as is required in all other circumstances. While it
appears that there is clear federal policy careful examination exposes glaring semantics and vague
qualifiers that leave the doors wide open for manipulation and corruption. This again works to the
advantage of the federal government ensuring that there are opportunities available for Aboriginal
leaders not committed to the protection and assertion of the full rights of their people and the
continued myth of lack of capacity amongst Aboriginal people and the continued perpetuation of the
lack of confidence in the Aboriginal moral character. Such situations can only be interpreted as
sabotage and the sophisticated use of internalized oppression.

The Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation and the associated Kichi Sibi Anishnabe promise the
political freedom of their affiliated communities, their rights to be recognized as communities, their
right to equal benefits, and their right to politically represent the members residing within their
territory, as well as the application of internationally recognized good governance practices to protect
the long-term interests of the Algonquin, Canadian and Ontario people.

Recent attempts by the Bob Potts led “Algonquins of Ontario” to push through an agenda and budget
during an emergency meeting held again in Pembroke this past Friday of February 23, 2007, that
would essentially block the most recent assertions of the Kichesipirini Kichi Sibi Anishnabe without
proper quorum can only be seen as a classic example of the “graying” of policy and procedure so
prevalent in Aboriginal politics. However, the clear refusal to participate by the Ottawa Algonquin
community in such highly questionable and blatantly corrupt activities, seemingly precipitated by the
provincial representative’s direct and highly conflicted influence with the “official” Algonquin
Negotiator, is extremely encouraging and highly reflective of the actual traditional values and
governing practices of the Anishnabe people.

Our support and respect go out to the Ottawa Algonquins and their demonstration of autonomy and
courageous integrity. We applaud such uncompromising and brave leadership.

It is unfortunate that there has not been more immediate communications to rectify the various
concerns expressed by the Kichesipirini Algonquin were not received. It does leave the Kichesipirini
Algonquins no alternative but to begin to implement more aggressive assertions of their rights.
Without positive confirmation of the inclusion of the Kichesipirini Algonquins at the negotiations
table by Monday, March 5, 2007, there will be no alternative. The collapse of this negotiations table
will not prevent such assertions, nor will it contribute to the continued investor confidence within the
region. Both the provincial and federal representatives were served the Kichesipirini Algonquin
Position paper and associated budget on Friday , February 23, 2007.

All material submitted to the provincial and federal governments are the protected intellectual
property of the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation and the affiliated Kichi Sibi Anishnabe. The
specific models of membership, beneficiary and leadership are the protected intellectual property of
the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation and the affiliated Kichi Sibi Anishnabe. Any attempts to
negotiate apart from the proper application of such jurisdiction will be interpreted as infringement of
Aboriginal right.
As previously stated in our correspondence to Mr. Aitken dated February 19, 2007:
“While ignorance may be justification on the part of some Aboriginal communities in attendance,
neither the federal or provincial governments can exercise such excuse. You have both been
adequately informed that there is strong evidence to presume that the Kichesipirini Algonquin First
Nation still hold title and legal jurisdiction throughout the traditional territory of the Kichi Sibi
Anishnabe, and both the federal and provincial governments are legally bound by fiduciary
obligation to consult with, accommodate, and compensate the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation,
and are further mandated to act in their best interests. Court law has found that obligation “...
imposes upon it a positive obligation to reasonably ensure that aboriginal peoples are provided with
all necessary information in a timely way so that they have an opportunity to express their interests
and concerns, and to ensure that their representations are seriously considered and, wherever
possible, demonstrably integrated into the proposed plans of action…”

The Canadian Constitution protects the rights of the Aboriginal people of Canada. The Supreme
Court of Canada has established that Aboriginal rights include those practices, customs and traditions
that were integral to the culture of a historic Aboriginal people. The Kichesipirini Algonquin First
Nation represents Aboriginal people, through descent, who have never relinquished their inherent
Aboriginal rights to their territory. The Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation can also demonstrate
that they were organized as a political sovereign nation prior to the assertion of sovereignty of the
Crown. The Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation can also demonstrate that their control of
economic, commercial, and international trade and political activities were part of the practices,
customs, and traditions of their community and that those traditions, customs and practices also
included their political representation of a significant portion of the Algonquin people and territory.
Part of that tradition includes the organizing and promotion of social events within their own
territory.

Court law has affirmed that the Crown's obligation to consult, accommodate and compensate extends
to Aboriginal Nation's who assert a prima facie case to aboriginal title. The Crown's failure to live up
to its constitutional obligations to Aboriginal Nations could affect the economic interests of third
parties. In some circumstances, the third party licensee, itself, may owe an independent legal
obligation to accommodate the interests of the First Nation still holding title. These third party
licensees may then be forced to seek compensation from the provincial and federal governments
regarding resulting liabilities.

By clarifying the terms of land and resource use and ownership, claims settlements can create a
stable and positive climate for economic investment and development on both Aboriginal lands and
in surrounding communities. The continued exclusion of the Kichesipirini from this process
jeopardizes the possibility of clarity. Continued failure on the parts of the federal and provincial
governments to consult, accommodate and include the Kichesipirini poses the risk of serious
economic failures and liabilities throughout the entire Algonquin territory in Canada. Forcing the
matters to be dealt with through litigation further risks the possibility of economic losses and severe
liabilities.”

Continued attempts by the various ministries, provincial and federal governments to refer the legal
issues and obligations to the recently developed Aboriginal alternative justice systems, apart from the
administration of justice according to the Rules of Law, Canadian Aboriginal Law, Canadian
Constitutional Law, as well as International Law will not be tolerated or accepted as legitimate by the
Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation or the associated Kichi Sibi Anishnabe. Such continued
attempts will be perceived as continued interference with Kichesipirini rights, title and jurisdiction.
The Kichesipirini do not view Canadian Law as being solely a representation of colonial oppression
but recognize that the Canadian legal systems have recently recognized Aboriginal rights for the
Indigenous people of Canada. The Canadian legal system has developed a tremendous wealth of
knowledge and expertise regarding Aboriginal Law and the application of justice. Recent
contributions by numerous Aboriginal experts and lawyers have greatly influenced the recognition
and protection of such rights in Canada. Canadian Aboriginal Law has also been greatly influenced
by international Aboriginal law, and as such has a solid foundation of capacity and expertise. The
Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation has repeatedly stated that they have no interest in working apart
from the accepted Rules of Law. They are confident that their broad inherent rights will be protected
and identified within the existing Canadian legal context, and that through relationships of
reconciliation the various systems will evolve to better represent the rights and needs of all those
concerned.

Sincerely,

Paula LaPierre
Principal Sachem
Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation

By Honouring Our Past We Determine Our Future