Timeline

1949

Since s.91(24) applies in full, no specific mention is needed or made in the Terms of Union to Indians or Inuit.  The Indian Act, c 98, R.S.C., 1927 applies automatically in the province at Union, and provides for both "regular (i.e., reserve-based or treaty) and "irregular" (i.e., non-treaty and non-settled) bands of Indians.

1974

Federal Office of Native Claims funds FNI to research claims.

1979

After several years of friction between provincial and Conne River officials over control of C.N.A. funds.  Minister of Indian Affairs (Jake Epp) agrees to finalize basic genealogical research of Mi'kmaqs on the island.

1981

Letter from Minister John Monroe. This letter stated that the eligibility of the residents of the other communities for registration as status Indians under the Indian Act will, and could be, determined within the life of the present agreement.

1981

Start provincial/ federal separate five-year agreements for Labrador Innu, Inuit and for Newfoundland Mi'kmaqs.  The FNI negotiates conditions for the Conne River Agreement and is a signatory and participant in its administration. 

1983

Conne River withdraws from the FNI.

1984

Conne River Band recognized as a Band under the Indian Act.

1984

First meeting of FNI with new DIA Minister, David Crombie, held in Halifax at Mr. Crombie's invitation to address implementation of DMC recommendations.

1985

Mr. Crombie requests participation of Newfoundland government in tripartite negotiations on financial arrangements for FNI.

1986

Mr. Ottenheimer rejects Newfoundland participation in tripartite talks.

1987

Submission for self-government proposal funding.

1989

FNI launches Federal Court Action pleading breach of fiduciary duty (in relation specifically to Minister Munro's 1981 commitment) and breach of Charter entitlement to equal benefit of the law.

1991

A Cabinet session is held on the matter, with DIAND recommending out-of-court settlement and recognition.  Notwithstanding the Supreme Court's ruling in 1990 on fiduciary issues, Justice officials recommend litigation on the Charter issue as a test case.  Minister Campbell recommends, in the absence of Minister Crosbie, that "friendly litigation" be agreed to in order to resolve the issue (friendly litigation being defined operationally as agreement to fund legal costs at double the normal DIAND test case rate).

1994

The Executive Policy Committee of DIAND meets to advise the Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs on the FNI situation, the result of which is to request a "risk assessment" of the FNI litigation from the Department of Justice, in light of a potential for out-of-court negotiations.

1997

The Noel Lyon Report from the Canadian Human Rights Commission. This report , inter alia, recommended that Canada proceed with a recognition process.

1999

In 1999 Department of Indian Affairs invited the FNI to discuss an agreement on the basis that the FNI place the Court case in abeyance.

2001

Reactivated the court case.

2002

Presented Minister of Indian Northern Affairs, Honorable Robert Nault with a proposal called 2002 Mi'kmaq Regime.

2002

DIAND entered into an agreement with FNI for an exploratory process.  DIAND appointed the Honorable Marc Lalonde as the special representative for the process.

2003

Minister of Indian Northern Affairs, Honorable Robert Nault publicly announced that DIAND was moving forward with Preliminary Negotiations with the FNI toward a Landless Band under the Indian Act.  This was pending the FNI placing the court case into abeyance.  The FNI placed the court case into abeyance.

2003

Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Honorable Robert Nault publicly announced that DIaN was moving foward with Preliminary Negotiations withthe FNI toward a lanless Band under the Indian Act. This was pending the FNI placing the court case into abeyance.

2004

Honorable Marc Lalonde presented the Minister of Indian Northern Affairs, Honorable Andy Scott with a report recommending proceeding to cabinet seeking an agreement in principle to negotiate a landless band under the Indian Act for the Mi'kmaq of Newfoundland.