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Unsurrendered Algonquin Territory (Ottawa-Hull) - The simmering stand-off between the Federal government and the Algonquins of Barriere Lake is now being played out into the nationšs capital. This afternoon, dozens of residents from the isolated reserve in Quebec's La Verendrye Park will arrive in Ottawa and occupy Victoria Island, just a stone's throw from Parliament Hill.

The Algonquin occupation is the latest action in a stand-off over the Federal decision to cut funding to the Trilateral Agreement -- a pioneering land management plan which would ensure that forest companies do not impact on the Algonquins' traditional way of life ­ as well as, a number of other outstanding community concerns such as housing, electrification, governance and reconciliation.

The federal government walked away from the agreement in July claiming the process has cost too much money. The Algonquins responded by suspending all logging in the territory. The dispute, which is now in its second month, is threatening mill operations in the region.

Tony Wawatie, a spokesperson for the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, says the community is frustrated by the refusal of the Federal government to sit down and complete the land management plan, which was in its final stages of development. He says the Algonquins had no choice but to take the fight to the capital.

"The one thing we have found over the years is that when we suffer, time isn't an issue for the government," says Wawatie, "It's only when others suffer along with us that action seems to get taken. We've spent years trying to negotiate, trying to be reasonable and the government has responded with delays and indifference."

The Algonquins have spent the last two months trying to get the Federal government back to the table. Their attempt to save the Trilateral Agreement has drawn support from both ends of the environmental spectrum. Logging companies Domtar and Davidson Industries, along with international environmental heavyweights the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), have also pleaded with the Feds to return to the table.

Unfortunately, the Federal government hasn't responded, which is why Wawatie says the occupation had to be undertaken.

"An occupation of Victoria Island is going to be very disruptive to the people of our community and we recognize that it will be a disruption for users of Victoria Island. It is unfortunate that we have to come here to get Ottawa to act but our peoples' future is at stake."

Wawatie says the Algonquins are prepared to wait it out until they get a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs to resolve the outstanding federal obligations to the Algonquins of Barriere Lake.