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Quebec City - Relations between the Algonquins of Barriere Lake (ABL) and the Quebec government continue to move forward. On December 5th, Premier Bernard Landry, his Native Affairs Minister Rémy Trudel and senior cabinet staff (including Rémy Gerard, Assistant Deputy Minister for Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones) met with ABL leadership over the progress of the Trilateral Agreement - a pioneering land management plan for the Algonquin territory. Premier Landry praised the agreement as a model of reconciliation between Quebec and First Nation peoples.

The deal, originally signed by the ABL, Quebec and the Federal government, had been in danger of collapse after the Federal government walked away from the table in July 2001. The Federal government walked during the final stages of developing an integrated resource management plan (IRMP). Without an IRMP, the Algonquin traditional way of life faced threat from industrial forestry operations. The process, however, was put back on track by the government of Bernard Landry. In July 2002, the Quebec government temporarily assumed the Federal share of costs for completing wildlife and forestry plans, pending further discussion with the Government of Canada.

Grand Chief Carol McBride, of the Algonquin Nation Secretariat, says the December 5th meeting has helped cement relations between Premier Landry's government and the ABL.

"The Trilateral Agreement was established to end conflict in the territory. It's a process based on dialogue and understanding. Premier Landry expressed his desire that this process succeed so it could act as a model for reconciling the needs of First Nations people and the people of Quebec."

At the December 5th meeting, Premier Landry committed his government to helping complete the IRMP and to begin a process of economic development for the impoverished community. As well, Premier Landry expressed his desire to visit the people of Barriere Lake. Grand Chief McBride says the dialogue with senior Quebec government staff is in sharp contrast to the treatment the ABL are receiving at the hands of the Federal government.

"The government of Quebec has shown their willingness to move forward and create a just solution for the land issues facing the Algonquin people. Meanwhile, we can't even get Federal politicians to answer our phone calls."

The Trilateral Agreement has been recognized by the United Nations as a groundbreaking process for sustainable development. Once in place, it will serve as a model for integrated resource planning in Canada.