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OTTAWA, ONTARIO - P. E. James Prentice, former Co-Chair of the Indian Claims Commission (ICC), announced today he will resign his position, effective immediately, in order to devote more time to his Calgary law practice. Mr. Prentice was appointed a Commissioner in 1992 and named Co-Chair in 1994. He held that position until the appointment of Phil Fontaine as Chief Commissioner this past August.

"I have greatly enjoyed my time with the ICC and will always treasure the memories of what has been, for me, a fascinating journey," he said. "During the past nine years, I have had the privilege of working with many distinguished commissioners, all of whom have been deeply committed to the work of the Commission." Mr. Prentice had announced his intention to resign last year but stayed on in order to complete work on a number of claim inquiries.

A partner with the firm of Rooney Prentice, Mr. Prentice has an extensive background in land claims, dating back to his work as legal counsel and negotiator for the Province of Alberta in the tripartite negotiations that brought about the Sturgeon Lake Indian claim settlement in 1989.

Since that time, he has taken part in the inquiry or mediation of some 70 treaty land entitlement and surrender claims across Canada.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Prentice participated in such key decisions as the 1996 Fort McKay case which resulted in the reversal of the federal government's policy position with respect to treaty land entitlement. The current policy in this important area is based entirely upon the ICC's report. He was also active in the ICC's work in the field of Prairie Land Surrenders, a study that led to the release of a landmark report dealing with the Kahkewistahaw Surrender of 1905.

"The settlement of specific land claims is fundamentally a human rights issue," he declared in announcing his decision to resign, adding that Canadian society will ultimately be judged by how it handles settlement of such claims. "I am proud of the evolutionary role which the ICC has played in the area of claims settlements."

The Indian Claims Commission was established in 1991 to examine, at the request of a First Nation, specific claims rejected by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. It is a neutral body that is independent of both the federal government and First Nations.

For more information contact; Indian Claims Commission, Lucian Blair, Director of Communications, phone: 613-943-1607.