The Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation

Kichesipirini (meaning: "people of the great river") kiche –great, big, sipi--river, ini--people
Largest and most powerful group of Algonkin. Known variously as: Algoumequins de l'Isle,
Allumette, Big River People, Gens d l'Isle, Honkeronon (Huron), Island Algonkin, Island Indians,
Island Nation, Kichesippiriniwek, Kitcisìpiriniwak , Nation de l'Isle, Nation of the Isle, People of
the Island, and Savages de l'Isle. Main village was located on Morrison's (Allumette) Island,
Ontario, near present day Pembroke. The Kichesipirini are fortunate to be the most extensively
documented of all the Algonquin nations, with clearly documented governance, culture, economic
activities, and genealogies. Numerous sources clearly describe many details concerning this nation
and assist in our understanding of how this nation lived and defined themselves prior to European
contact.
The first group of Algonquins that the French encountered were the Kichesipirini,
(Kitcisìpiriniwak), whose main permanent settlements were located on islands in the Ottawa River;
the French called this group "La Nation de l'Isle."’

“In all its dealings with Aboriginal peoples, the Crown must act honourably, in
accordance with its historical and future relationship with the Aboriginal peoples in
question. The Crown’s honour cannot be interpreted narrowly or technically, but must
be given full effect in order to promote the process of reconciliation mandated by s.
35(1).”
Chief Justice McLachlin, Taku River decision (2004, Supreme Court of Canada),
para. 24
(DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR MINISTRIES ON CONSULTATION WITH
ABORIGINAL PEOPLES RELATED TO ABORIGINAL RIGHTS AND TREATY
RIGHTS, June, 2006)
 Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation

kichesippi@hotmail.com

April 22, 2007

Open Letter to Doug Carr

Assistant Deputy Minister and Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs
Ontario Secretariat Aboriginal Affaires
Fax: (416) 326-4017

Mr. Carr,

We appreciate your timely correspondence regarding the consultation process involving

the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation and their recent land claim submission. Your
response is a great disappointment after the very encouraging meeting we did have with
the Federal and Provincial negotiators.

While we do appreciate your suggestion that the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation
participate in the existing process despite our many graves concerns that we have
repeatedly expressed we again affirm that to do so would be an abrogation and derogation
of our asserted inherent Aboriginal rights and an exercise in poor governance and
business judgment. We continue to contend that we have been illegally discriminated
against throughout the process and will continue to seek compensation for the resultant
damages.

It should also be noted that reference to the fact that while only a small portion of the
Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation members did chose to participate for various
reasons in the ANR election process the Protocol Agreement does state that the said
process agreed to by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan and the ANND, and subsequent
ANRs will not adversely impact on existing Aboriginal rights or rights to equality. Article
5 of the July 30, 2004 Addendum to the March 25, 2004 Protocol Agreement also states
that “The Electoral Officer’s decision in that regard shall be final for purposes of the
election in question, but is without prejudice to any subsequent application for
recognition as a Community of Algonquins for election or other purposes related to the
Treaty Negotiations.” The process has no legal authority beyond the election process
developed and adhered to by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan and the participating
ANRs to determine the legal right of communities to participate in negotiations.

Participation in the election process does not over-ride the right to freedom of association
or any inherent Aboriginal right. Many individuals have been held hostage and denied the
right to leave some communities currently at the table, despite the act that these
individual would greatly benefit being able to identify correctly as Kichesipirini
descendents. We consider such actions to be cultural and political genocide.

The Crown cannot delegate its specific obligations to Aboriginal people to any such
created entity. The legal responsibilities to consult with, accommodate, negotiate and
compensate lie solely with the Crown. The continued efforts to deflect or delegate
authority and obligation are a serious flaw inherent throughout this process.

While we agree that negotiating with 10 or more Aboriginal groups would be challenging
for the Federal and Provincial governments we would draw your attention to the fact that
the existing fractions and competition amongst the Algonquin community are the result of
deliberate interference caused by colonization and the imposition of numerous external
policies, and while Canada has been mandated according to international law to reconcile
their relationship with the Aboriginal people imposing externally dictated demands that
the Algonquins now suddenly speak with one voice for the convenience of the other two
levels of government hardly seems logical, equitable, constitutional, or even legal. Such
external dictates are another example of the failure to truly reconcile the injustices of the
past and encourage the development of systems that further entrench and broaden the
conditions of internalized oppression so prevalent within the Algonquin community.

Perhaps the Algonquins should be insisting that the mainstream governments negotiate
with one voice since the competing jurisdictions of the Federal and Provincial
governments have been used to oppress and rob the Algonquins for centuries.

It should be noted that were the matters before the courts and the international legal
requirements applied it would be asked how many of the communities currently in
existence would be able to negotiate a land claim? The Kichesipirini Algonquin First
Nation possesses abundant historical proof and documentation yet it is being subverted
by claim generated entities in an effort to minimize the liability of the Crown and the
absorbent amounts of compensation legitimately owed according to that extensive
documentation.

No matter how much you rationalize the existing process, democratic or not, it cannot
supercede or interfere with the inherent Aboriginal rights of the Kichesipirini Algonquin
First Nation and their affiliates, and their rights to freely participate within the negotiation
process as they see appropriate.

It would seem apparent by your letter that you fail to understand that the Kichesipirini
Algonquin First Nation is asserting their constitutionally protected inherent Aboriginal
rights and that the ANRs do not represent us, are not mandated by us, and have no
authority to keep the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation informed about the
negotiations. Neither do they have any authority deciding whether or not the
Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation should be included within the process. We have
repeatedly stated that we would graciously negotiate in co-operation with them but that
ultimately there are no legal grounds for our continued exclusion.
It would seem that the ongoing exclusion of the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation
cannot be resolved through the existing process and that the Kichesipirini will be
exploring alternative routes to ensure the matters are more thoroughly examined and that
genuine legitimacy can be more concretely and measurably introduced into this highly
flawed and discriminatory process. Such efforts should ensure that the governments are
not depending on faulty assumptions as the foundations of such an important endeavor.
The current negotiations process fails to clearly ensure that important Aboriginal rights of
the unrecognized Algonquins are even acknowledged, nor does it limit the potential for
adverse impacts on their asserted or established rights.

The legal realities have been reversed.

We are expected to negotiate our future through substandard business, political and legal
parameters. It is unacceptable.

Should the table, and the Provincial government demonstrates clearly articulated written
signs of flexibility and genuine good faith the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation would
be interested in participating in negotiations. Until such time it will proceed with a
number of initiatives concerning title and jurisdiction through alternative means.

We will remain in contact with both the Federal and Provincial negotiators as
circumstances dictate.

Sincerely,

Paula LaPierre
Principal Sachem
Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation

By Honouring Our Past We Determine Our Future