Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mr. E. A. Hyde
District Manager
Ministry of Natural Resources
31 Riverside Drive
Pembroke, On K8A 8R6
Via e-mail
I, on behalf of the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation, Kichi Sibi Anishnabe, would like to take
this opportunity to clarify our concerns regarding a number of important issues affecting the
Algonquins in Ontario at this time.
Firstly we would like to state that we, the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation, are in no way
associated with the Constitutional challenges presented by Mr. Michael Swinwood currently
before the courts.
The Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation is in no way associated with the “Sovereignty Circle”
or any other form of alternative governance model created, supported, or associated with the Mr.
Michael Swinwood or the related Constitutional challenges.
The Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation does not recognize the authority of any alternative
justice system or model initiated, created or supported by Mr. Michael Swinwood, the
Sovereignty Circle or any related entity.
The Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation does not recognize William Commanda as having any
formal jurisdiction within our territory.
Denis Vaillancourt and Grant Tysick are no longer members or representatives of the
Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation.
It should be noted that the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation is committed to the principles of
honesty, accountability and transparency. Extensive historical research demonstrates that the
Kichesipirini, Kichi Sibi Anishnabe, the traders, had exclusive control, through numerous
amalgamations with other bands, including the Kinounchepirini, 1650, of a vast territory stretching
from the North Bay /Nipissing area down to near the capital of region. The Kichesipirini exercised
extensive trade and kinship networks far beyond, and these activities are carefully documented and
verified.
1
As part of our commitment to governance excellence and historical accuracy the Kichesipirini
Algonquin First Nation, Kichi Sibi Anishnabe, are actively participating in the prestigious
Indigenous Governance Project. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
(SSHRC) is investing $2.5 million in a fiveyear project to develop models for Aboriginal
governance that draw on the best in both modern scholarship and ancient traditions. The project will
be led by Canada’s largest Aboriginal law research group, which will join forces with researchers in
constitutional studies, economics, anthropology, philosophy, and political science, and with
numerous Aboriginal groups in Canada.
Pierre Noreau, professor in the faculty of law at the Université de Montréal and director of the
Centre de recherche en droit public (Public Law Research Centre), leads the “Indigenous Peoples
and Governance” project. Consisting of 39 researchers from 21 Canadian universities, the research
team will work with the Law Commission of Canada, the Royal Society of Canada, and several
Aboriginal associations to propose models for Aboriginal governance and for relationships between
sovereign peoples. Together, they will explore the unique characteristics of Aboriginal governance
in a Canadian context. Involved in the project are noted experts John Borrows, Darlene Johnson,
Kent McNeil and Michael Asch.
Paula LaPierre, Principal Sachem of the Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation, and an associate
representing the broader Algonquin community participated in the first annual conference June
28,29, and 30, 2006 located at Mnjikaning First Nation, Ontario. It is hoped that
such participation will bring legitimacy to the current Algonquin situation.
Sincerely,
Paula LaPierre
Principal Sachem
Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation
Cc; Ken McWatters, Bob Potts, Brian Crane, Robin Aitken, Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation
members
2
By Honouring Our Past We Determine Our Future
kichesippi@hotmail.com