Government is now negotiating two land claims and self- government agreements: one with the Labrador Inuit Association and the other with the Innu Nation.

Land claims settlements are intended to contribute to the economic and social well-being of Aboriginal peoples and other Labradorians. Government is making every effort to ensure that any land claims settlement reached with the Inuit and Innu of Labrador will be fair to all Labradorians.

Government believes land claims settlements must be reached to ensure the prosperity of Labrador. Land claims settlements bring certainty and stability for future economic and social development.

On May 10, 1999, negotiators for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada, and the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) initialled the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement in Principle (AIP), which was ratified by LIA members in July 1999.

Land selection negotiations between the province, Canada and the LIA began in the spring of 2000 to define the boundaries of the Labrador Inuit Lands (LIL), contained within the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area (LISA).

Once land selection is finalized, the AIP must then be presented to the province and the federal government for ratification. Once ratified, the AIP becomes the basis for negotiation of a Final Agreement.

The AIP contains details of land ownership, harvesting rights, environmental protection, co-management of fish and wildlife, economic development opportunities, resource revenue sharing and self-government.

For more information on the AIP visit our web site at /exec/lass/ or call 1-877-788-8822.

Negotiations with the Innu Nation are proceeding on two fronts: (i) towards a comprehensive land claims and self-government agreement and, (ii) towards registration of the Innu as Status Indians under the Indian Act.

In 1999, the Innu of Labrador submitted a document to the provincial and federal governments entitled, "Ten Major Issues on Innu Rights Negotiations", which the Innu believe are the most important in the land claims process. All parties are committed to realizing the "Ten Major Issues Accord" by the end of the fiscal year.

In September 2000, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs agreed to seek federal cabinet approval for the registration of the Innu as Status Indians under the Indian Act and the creation of reserves in Sheshatshiu and Natuashish.

land for reserves in Sheshatshiu and Natuashish will be transferred from the province to the federal government;

the federal government will assume financial responsibility for education, income support, most primary health care, economic development and municipal services;

and, the Bands will then have all the rights and obligations of Status Indians including the ability to pass bylaws under the Indian Act. (This may assist them in dealing with the social problems in the communities).