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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Lela Evans says she “regret[s] the concern and hurt” caused — in an emailed statement issued two days after the Innu Nation accused the Newfoundland and Labrador government of its attempted “erasure” of Innu history.
The accusations stem from a historical and cultural exhibit that was cancelled on Wednesday —days before it was scheduled to open. The cancellation stems from a dispute that’s emerged over the timeline of Innu history in the region, with the N.L. government capping the history at 300 years as opposed to the group’s claim that it was far longer than that.
On Friday, in her statement, Evans said multiple officials from Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation met with representatives of the Innu Nation. It’s unclear where or when the meeting happened.
“We were hopeful that we could work together toward a solution that respects all points of view and we were actively working with the Innu Nation to reach a compromise to allow the exhibit to proceed. However, I understand that this approach has caused concern, and I am sorry for the impact this has had,” state comments attributed to Evans.
Neither Evans, nor any other government official, has commented on what Innu leaders have explicitly said is the reason for the cancellation, specifically that the government is trying to erase the Innu people’s history.
“We also recognize that past experiences have led to distrust. That is something we, as a new government, must take seriously and work hard to repair,” she states.
It confirms the event will not be going ahead. Evans describes it as a choice of Innu leadership.
It was supposed to be the Innu Pakassiun exhibit at the Labrador Interpretation Centre in North West River and open on June 21.
The statement marks the first comments provided to the CBC, breaking the silence from the provincial government since Innu Nation accused it of “erasure” over the now-cancelled exhibit.
‘They’re fighting us’
“This position amounts to an erasure of Innu history,” said Grand Chief Simon Pokue in a previous statement.
In a previous interview with CBC News, Innu Cultural Guardian Jodie Ashini called the decision to halt the project as “incredibly hard” but necessary.
“It’s a stand that must be made. Because we don’t want to have to continue to fight to prove who we are. We know who we are. And this exhibit was supposed to show that. But they’re fighting us and not allowing us to show who we are,” she said.
In direct response to the minister’s statement, Ashini said it is imperative the government set this right and doing so means the province must acknowledge Innu rights and instruct all departments to immediately stop promoting the false theory that Innu have only been in Labrador for 300 years.
Two year exhibit in the making
On Wednesday evening, when the exhibit cancellation was announced, CBC asked Indigenous Affairs, The Rooms — a provincial Crown corporation which collaborated on the exhibit — and communications staff in the government for comment.
None of the emails were acknowledged.
CBC News requested interviews from Premier Tony Wakeham, Labrador Affairs Minister Lela Evans and Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Arts Andrea Barbour. Evans’ statement was provided at 3:20 p.m. NST Friday.
A communications staff member for The Rooms is directing questions to the provincial government.
Creating the exhibit, which took two years, involved collaborative efforts with the Canadian Museum of History, the transfer to Labrador of select artifacts taken from Innu people, including ancestors of the people of modern Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and Mushuau Innu First Nation.
The Canadian Museum of History did provide comment but it steered clear of the issue of the timeline of the Innu’s history.
“We have had the privilege of working closely with Cultural Guardian Jodie Ashini and members of the Innu Nation of Labrador for many years, and we deeply value their leadership and the opportunity to support them in sharing their history and cultural heritage in their own voices,” reads the statement.
“The museum was not involved in decisions regarding the exhibition’s content, presentation or cancellation, and we remain committed to supporting our partners however we can.”
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