An Election with a Difference
2,151 Votes with the Future of Labrador Inuit Hanging in the Balance

(Nain, NL.) May 18, 2004. William Andersen III, President of the Labrador Inuit Association (LIA) is in St. John’s to ensure that LIA members understand the importance of voting on the final Labrador Inuit Land Claim Agreement.

“We need a total of 2,151 ‘Yes’ votes to ratify the Agreement,” says Andersen. “In this day of low voter turnout, we want to make sure our members know that this is an election with a difference. If members do not vote, it is considered a ‘no’ vote. It is imperative that everyone on the voter’s list votes, be it going to the polling stations on May 19 or May 26 or by mailing in their ballot.”

Advance polling is on Wednesday, May 19 and Voting Day is Wednesday, May 26, 2004.

“The Labrador Inuit Land Claim Agreement represents the dedication, passion and hard work of leaders, negotiators and tireless volunteers,” says Andersen. “This Agreement stands among the best ever achieved in this country and was 30 years in the making. It is time to secure our future and take charge of our destiny. This first step is getting out and voting.”

The Labrador Inuit Land Claim Agreement deals exclusively with the rights of the Labrador Inuit and Labrador Inuit are clearly defined in the land claims agreement. They are the Inuit who have used and occupied the Labrador Inuit land claims area since time before the arrival of the white man and who continue to use and occupy that area to this day. The Agreement states clearly that it does not affect the rights of any other aboriginal peoples.

“The ratification of the Agreement will mark the realization of a collective vision for the future of Labrador and its people,” notes Andersen. “The creation of Inuit Government in Nunatsiavut, which means ‘our beautiful land’, will bring certainty over land and water rights, development and environmental responsibility.”
Wally Andersen, an Inuit and the sitting Member of the House of Assembly for Torngat Mountains district, grew up in the community of Makkovik. “May 26th will be the day when the Inuit of Labrador will have a chance to vote on their future,” says Andersen. “This Agreement will give the Inuit of Labrador the right to self- government and the right to govern their own affairs. I encourage every person to vote favourably for this agreement to give us, the Inuit, the right to plan our future.”

The Labrador Inuit Association represents over 5,300 Labrador Inuit. Labrador Inuit live in Northern Labrador, other parts of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada. This is the last outstanding Inuit Land Claim Agreement in Canada.

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Contact: Ruth Marks Communications Consultant 709-753-0794