2009
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

The work of Mark Bugden, Aubrey Gover, Justin Mellor, and Anna Myers was key to negotiating the Agreement in Principle of the Labrador Innu Land Claim. The result was a milestone agreement in the land claim negotiation process extended from the New Dawn Agreement signed in 2008.

Together with the Impacts and Benefits Agreement, and redress for the Upper Churchill Hydro electric development, the Agreement in Principle resolved key issues between the Provincial Government and the Innu Nation, paving the way for a comprehensive land claims agreement. Negotiations continued on all three agreements and culminated in the signing of the completed documents on February 16, 2010. Their efforts on the Innu land claim resolution will directly result in a positive economic development environment for Labrador.

As with any negotiation process, challenges arose and were overcome. The team faced tight deadlines and mounting workloads. However, calm heads and strategy prevailed. Together the team persevered to produce a successful outcome. Ultimately the settlement of this claim will provide a much broader benefit to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. This team has not only brightened the future prospects of our province, they have provided a climate of certainty for development in Labrador. In the process strong and respectful relationships were forged in this focused and intense effort.

Resilience, sharp problem solving and respect for ones co-workers - the Labrador Innu Land Claims Negotiating Team embody these qualities perfectly.