Indigenous leaders adopt declaration condemning identity theft

First Nations, Inuit and Red River Métis leaders unanimously adopted what they're calling a historic declaration condemning Indigenous identity theft Wednesday afternoon in Winnipeg.

Delegates from Ontario First Nations, northern Labrador Inuit and Manitoba Métis carried the resolution by consensus, capping the two-day Indigenous Identity Fraud Summit at the Fort Garry Hotel.

The declaration demands, among other things, that federal and provincial governments "cease their actions accommodating these identity thieves" and co-operate with legitimate nations to correct the "egregious affront" to their peoples.

"We condemn in the strongest terms those who engage in Indigenous identity fraud, whether for financial gain, academic recognition or any other purpose," the declaration says.

"Such actions are unacceptable and contribute to the ongoing marginalization of authentic First Nation, Inuit and Red River Métis voices and experiences."

Co-hosts Chiefs of Ontario (COO), representing 133 First Nations in Ontario, and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) hailed the declaration and said it paves the way for greater organizing, political pressure and action.

Glen Hare, Ontario regional chief elected by COO, was moved to tears after it was adopted, as he spoke of the centuries of hardship suffered by First Nations people, particularly children.

He stood with MMF President David Chartrand and Johannes Lampe, president of Nunatsiavut Government, the self-governing authority in northern Labrador, in a show of unity.

Hare said at a news conference later, "This summit has demonstrated our nations are committed to wholeheartedly addressing this matter with the urgency it deserves." 

Ogimaa Shelly Moore-Frappier of Temagami First Nation said, "We really have to think about what the impacts have been on us.

"We have had to fight hard to be in these institutions... then we have people who come in and learn a hand drum song and go running with it."

The summit earlier on Wednesday adopted a resolution denouncing the disputed Inuit identity claims of NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC).

The council, formerly the Labrador Métis Association and the Labrador Métis Nation, represents 6,000 self-identifying Inuit in south and central Labrador.

Lampe told the delegates that Inuit stand united in the conviction the group is non-Indigenous.