WOLF LAKE FIRST NATION Hunters Point, P. O.

Box Temiscaming, Quebec J0Z 3R0 Tel: 819-627-3628 Fax: 819-627-1109

Eagle Village First Nation-Kipawa Migizy 998 Odenaw P.O. Box 756 Temiscaming, QC J0Z 3R0 Tel: 819-627-3455 Fax: 819-627-9428

Press Release Opemican Park Cant be Legally Created Without an Agreement With Algonquins (Kipawa, Quebec/Algonquin Territory March 25, 2013) The Chiefs of the Algonquin First Nations of Wolf Lake and Eagle Village responded today to Premier Marois regarding her March 21, 2013, public announcement that the Quebec government intends to proceed with the creation of Opemican Park. During the June 2012 Public Hearings on the proposed Opemican Park the Chiefs of Wolf Lake and Eagle Village presented their positions. Wolf Lake Chief Harry St. Denis basically stated to the MDDEP we have two preconditions before we could agree to the proposed Opemican Park being established in our traditional lands, we are seeking a consultation-accommodation agreement with Quebec in all areas that: 1) Recognizes our Aboriginal Title and Rights to our traditional lands; and 2) Provides a management role for our First Nation. Eagle Village Chief Madeleine Paul basically stated to the MDDEP our First Nation opposes the current Opemican Park Project and dozens of our community members filed individual briefs opposing the creation of Opemican Park the only way we might support the creation of the park is through the result of a proper and meaningful consultation and accommodation process by the government of Quebec. On January 24, 2013, The Algonquin First Nations of Wolf Lake, Eagle Village and Timiskaming gave formal notice to the Quebec government that they are jointly issuing a Statement of Assertion of Aboriginal Rights and Title to their combined traditional territory. The territory covered under this Statement of Assertion of Rights and Title, measuring over 34,000 square kilometres, straddles the Quebec-Ontario border along the Upper Ottawa River (see attached map), with a large portion of it located in Ontario. The evidence, which has been in preparation for almost 20 years, shows that these communities are descended from the Algonquin bands that traditionally used and occupied the territory, and that they meet the legal tests for establishing rights and title.

The rights being asserted include the Abitibi-Temiscaming Region and the site of the proposed Opemican Park so they will require the attention and commitment of the Government of Quebec, as well as the Government of Canada. The Algonquin First Nations of Wolf Lake and Eagle Village have been actively building relationships with the Temiscamingue MRC and the mayors of the region, but the Quebec government is legally responsible for consulting and accommodating First Nations about proposed developments or projects on First Nations traditional territories. The Quebec government must respect the constitutional rights of First Nations and the international standard set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. So far, the Quebec government has not meaningfully consulted or accommodated Wolf Lake or Eagle Village about regional natural resource development plans, including the proposed Opemican Park. The public should know that our Algonquin First Nation has made numerous good faith efforts to negotiate a proper consultation/accommodation agreement with both Quebec Premier Charest and Premier Marois, unfortunately our efforts were ignored as shown by the announcement by Premier Marois about creating Opemican Park. Our First Nation must be part of development of the region and regional development must be based upon respect for our constitutionally protected rights. said Chief St. Denis. Chief Paul added Our First Nations are committed to the future of this region, and we see the recognition of our rights as a means to ensure we can contribute in a proactive and meaningful way, for mutual benefit, but our peoples social and economic needs must be included in regional development like the Opemican Park project otherwise we will continue to exercise our Aboriginal rights at the proposed Park site. The Algonquin Chiefs will be sending a joint letter to Premier Marois confirming their shared position on the creation of Opemican Park, which is the park cant be legally created without an agreement with the Algonquin First Nations of Wolf Lake and Eagle Village since the proposed Park site is located within the territory where the Algonquins of Wolf Lake and Eagle Village assert Aboriginal Rights and Title. -30For More Information Contact: Wolf Lake Chief Harry St. Denis: Eagle Village Chief Madeleine Paul: Office: (819) 627-3268 (English) Office: (819) 627-3455 (English & French)