The Algonquins of Barriere Lake (Quebec)

On March 3, Peace Brigades International (PBI) received an invitation from the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, to provide a presence with regard to a conflict in Rapid Lake, Quebec, located three hours north of Ottawa- Hull. On March 7, three members of the PBI team arrived in the area to make initial contacts with all parties concerned.

As with many of the situations in which PBI has been involved, the conflict in question has several layers. On January 23 of this year, the Federal Department of Indian Affairs recognized an Interim Band Council for the Barriere Lake reserve, displacing the previous council and its chief of the past 16 years, Jean-Maurice Matchewan. This act intensified an ongoing conflict on the reserve between Matchewan and his supporters, on the one hand, and another group who have been opposed to him, on the other.

According to the Matchewan side, the members of the Interim Band Council are being manipulated by logging interests who are intent on disrupting an existing agreement that limits the amount of logging that can be done on the Algonquin people's traditional territory. According to the Interim Band Council, however, Matchewan and his supporters are guilty of misusing the band's money for personal gain.

In this conflict, the role of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) - which still has legal fiduciary responsibility for First Nations in Canada - cannot be overlooked. The Indian Act, which governs this responsibility, has been called out-dated, colonialist and unworkable by many Canadian First Nations, but is still the legal basis for the operation of the Department.

The Indian Act stipulates that First Nations with an alternative custom of choosing chiefs and councils may do so, in lieu of holding elections. The Algonquin custom, according to elders of the Barriere Lake band, is to choose their chief in community meetings, on the basis of the leaders' knowledge of the land and their ability to lead. Within Algonquin custom, there are also provisions for removing leaders from leadership if they are deemed incompetent. Since the selection of Matchewan in 1980, these process have been modified somewhat to also include a written petition to Indian Affairs.

In recognizing the Interim Band Council on January 23, the DIAND recognized the band's custom of leadership selection through petition, but did not acknowledge the other aspects of the process. Members of the new Council had sent DIAND a petition of 156 names asking for their recognition: a significant segment of the community, which numbers about 500, including children (although most of the signatories of the petition currently live off-reserve). Although the DIAND has represented its decision as "purely administrative", it preempted aspects of the existing legal, consultative processes, and is seen by a number of band members as a misuse of the "colonialist" powers of the Indian Act.

The Algonquin's strong stand against logging - which has included past blockades and years of legal struggle - only reinforces the perception of collusion between the political powers and outside financial interests. As our team meets with more of the parties involved in the conflict, we hope to gain more understanding of the situation.

On February 23, a roadblock was set up at the entrance of the reserve to prevent members of the Interim Band Council from exercising their offices. The reserve school and clinic, and the community's electrical generator have since closed down and deliveries of supplies have been prevented. Matchewan supporters want to send a strong message to DIAND to stay out of band affairs, according to a spokesperson. At the same time, a series of legal injunctions have been filed which could allow for police intervention, although no orders have been given for removal of the roadblock, according to the Quebec provincial police (Surete du Quebec).

The blockade is a potential point of violence and the team brought back recommendations for a return observer presence. It is also recommended that PBI continues to meet with all parties of the conflict to gain a better understanding of the situation.

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