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Unsurrendered Algonquin Territory (Ottawa/Hull) ­ After days of living in tents in the shadow of the Parliament buildings the Algonquins of Barriere Lake (ABL) finally heard from Indian Affairs. The message was received in the form of a press release just a few hours after the ABL families moved their protest to the lobby of Indian Affairs Headquarters.

The families have been waiting to meet with the Deputy Minister over a whole series of problems confronting the isolated reserve including the Federal decision to walk away from the Trilateral Agreement ­ a pioneering land management plan for the territory.

Grand Chief Carol McBride says the press release is welcome in that the government has publicly committed itself to seeing the land management plan through to its completion. She's concerned, however, by Indian Affairs statement that a 1997 agreement with the community "The Memorandum of Mutual Intent" was not meant to be legally binding.

"What does it say to First Nations when Indian Affairs tells us they're willing to sign agreements as long as they aren't legally binding? The Ministry is telling us they're open to dialogue and yet it's the Algonquins who are dialoguing with the logging companies. It's the Algonquins who are dialoguing with Quebec. We just hope the Deputy Minister will sit down and join us in the dialogue."

Grand Chief McBride says the ABL are not ready to give up their tent compound until Indian Affairs deals with the terrible housing situation in the community. In its press statement, Indian Affairs stated it had spent money on renovations for 25 houses and helped renovate the school.

Grand Chief McBride says the renovations have helped but they are completely insufficient for a community that has received virtually no community development for 15 years.

"The houses that had been repaired were homes that had been condemned as unfit for human habitation," she points out. "And the repairs at the school are little more than a band aid for a building that will be torn down."

An ABL housing study has shown that over half the houses on the reserve are in a state of serious disrepair. Forty five new houses are needed to alleviate the serious overcrowding (up to 18 people are living in houses designed for four people).

Grand Chief Carol McBride says that until this situation is addressed, the ABL will not be leaving Ottawa. "The people of Barriere Lake are not about to go home. They've come to Ottawa to let the Deputy Minister know about the situation in their community. They will wait until he is willing to meet with them."