Amidst dispute, N.L. premier says he's focused on settling land agreements with Innu Nation

Premier Tony Wakeham says when it comes to Newfoundland and Labrador’s dispute with the Innu Nation, his primary concern is making sure they can resolve land settlement agreements.

Amidst dispute, N.L. premier says he's focused on settling land agreements with Innu Nation Dispute over Innu history timeline erupted last month Premier Tony Wakeham says when it comes to Newfoundland and Labrador’s dispute with the Innu Nation, his primary concern is making sure they can resolve land settlement agreements. “I think it's very important for us to get back to the table... That's been going on for a long time and I have offered to expedite that as much as we can,” Wakeham told reporters Tuesday morning during an appearance at a defence conference in St. John's.

The Innu Nation announced a ratification vote after reaching a revised settlement agreement with Hydro-Québec in April, but the vote has since been paused because of the dispute over differing opinions over how long the Innu have been in Labrador. The new agreement would compensate the Innu for the impacts of the proposed Churchill Falls hydroelectric development. Despite Wakeham’s claim of wanting to settle the agreements, he gave no indication as to when that might happen.

N.L. government needs to ‘acknowledge the harms’ its caused, says Innu cultural guardian Indigenous Relations minister says province reviewing Innu timeline The dispute, which started last month, came after the province's call to see timeline caps and disclaimers on the Innu Nation’s planned cultural exhibit for National Indigenous Peoples Day. The province claimed the Innu people have only been in Labrador for 300 years and wanted that timeline represented. The Innu Nation argued that it erased thousands of years of their history, and cancelled the exhibit just days before it was set to open.

The province’s stance, along with the cancellation, sparked outrage and even protests during the Labrador Expo, which was also cancelled last month. Wakeham, who was present at the expo, didn’t face the protesters or media for questions. Lela Evans, the minister for Indigenous relations and reconciliation, has spoken on the dispute publicly, saying she will look for answers to support the Innu’s claim.

Since the most recent sitting of the House of Assembly concluded, the premier has had limited public availability, deferring comments to other ministers. These are his first remarks to CBC News on the ongoing dispute with the Innu Nation. When asked how long Wakeham believed the Innu had been in Labrador he didn't give a timeframe.

“I am not a historian or an archaeologist but I think what I am concerned about is sitting down with the Innu and making sure we settle those land claim agreements,” he said. Wakeham confirmed he has reached out to the Innu Nation and spoke with them about the opportunity to have their cancelled exhibit displayed without disclaimers. He provided no additional details.

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