Robert. Pots 416.593.3952 ‘potts@blaney com Blancy McMurtry PORRISTERS & SOLICITORS April 19, 2006 ExPect TNE BEST VIAE-MAIL Paula LaPiette Principal Sachern Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation ‘Dear Ms. LaPiesre: Re: Algonquin Nation Land Claim T have for acknowledgment your February 27, 2006 and March 2, 2006 communications. [apologise for not having responded earlier to these communications but it was necessary to consult with the Algonquin Negotiation Representatives (“ANR’s) and this could only be accomplished at the meetings that occurred in Pikwikanagin on March 22 and 23, 2006. Subsequently I have been out of the Province on other business and have only recently been able to address past communications. Firstly, on behalf of the ANR's I would like to thank you for your congratulatory note within your February 27, 2006 letter, As you are aware, many people worked long and hard to get us to the point where formal negotiations have resumed with the Governments of Canada and Ontario which will hopefully lead to a modem Treaty addressing all of the concettts and grievances of the Algonquins of Ontario that have been endured over the centuries. As you will recall, in July, 2004 aa Addendum to the Protocol Agreement was signed by the Chief and Council of The Algonquins of Pikwikanagin First Nation and representatives of Algonquin Nation Communities of Sharbot Lake, Greater Golden Lake, Antoine, Mattewa, Ardoch and Bonnechere along with ANND. That document which was created after consultation with the Algonquin people set out a process wherein 2 uanspatent and independently monitored election could be held aftct a comprehensive and scrapalously researched Algonquin identification initiative bad been cacried out. The process anticipared that those Communities identified at paragraph 2 within the Addendum would demonstrate to Joan Holmes? (the Electoral Officer) satisfaction that they had a minimum of 125 persons of Algonquin descent as defined in paragraphs 10(@) throngh (6) of the Addendum. Any other groups of persons who wished to be recognized as a Community of Algonquins in Ontario and thereby elect an ANR to sit at the negotiation table were askedto also demonstrate, as the Communities named in the Addendum had, that they had a geogeaphical connection with the Algonquin Territory and that they had a history of common interests, traditions and needs arising from their common Algonquin heritage. One Community, Ottawa, responded to that request and, following the process set out within the Addendum, were recognized as a "Community", and in the elections that followed, clected a Representative. During the course of the process leading to the ANR Elections, I had discussions and exchanged written communications with you regarding your initiative to have Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation identified as a "Community" and included in the ANR Election process. In that regard T wrote to you on Januazy 7, 2005 asking that you follow the proceduse as set out within the Addendum so that your submission could be formally considered as was the case with Ottawa, No Further steps were taken by you, or anyone else to proceed in that fashion, Accordingly the ANR Elections were held within the 9 Communities which were identified, Within that Election process, over 5,000 persons of Algonquin descent were identified as Blectors and added to the Blectors Lists that were posted. Asa result of those Elections, 9 ANR's were mandated to join 7 ANR's (comprised of the then recently elected Chief and Council of Pikwikanagin) to engage in the anticipated resumption of negotiations with the Governments. The mandate of the ANR's is for 3 years. The Addendum made no provision for identifying further Flectors following the Election nor for identifying additional Communities. ‘The ANR's have only receatly begun moving beyond the intemal organization stage. ‘Terms of Reference and a Trust Agreement have been signed. ‘To date the ANR’s have mandated the identification of those persons, aumnbering over 700, whose applications were pending and had not been fully processed at the time that the ANR Elections were called. The next step is to consider what further steps should be taken regarding the ‘ongoing identification of Electors and what, if any, consideration should be given to initiatives such as the one that you have Launched, For the moment, however, based on the considerable success of the identification process, the participation by candidates and Electors in the elections that were held, the acknowledgment by the Governments that a zeptesentative group has been established fos the purpose of getting the negotiations underway, its our intention to proceed in that regard without delay. ‘We would ask, therefore, that for the time being you take steps to identify and notify us of those people whom you know have not already been identified as Electors and ate not affiltated with another Community, so that we can continue to communicate with those individuals as the process goes forward. I would also encourage you to communicate directly with any one of the ANR's, or several of them as you see fit, to ensure that your concerns are responded to and that you receive ongoing communications as to the progress of the process that is underway, The list of those AINR’s and their contact information can be found on the website http://www:blaney.com/algonquin.hom. HAAFILE\ WORD Aiponguins of Psatanagan Fit Nason Main HlehConespondence\TaPere O0Ldoe‘Meanwhile, we will continue to issue newsletters and hold public meetings with a view to ‘communicating with all Algonquins of Ontario, Any ageecment in principle, and ultimately any settlement agreement that is negotiated with the Governments will be brought back to the Algonquin people of Ontario for their approval. Any final agreement will require formal ratification, Accordingly, Iai satisfied that your interests in the process can be adequately addressed by the existing Negotiation Team in the short term without any possible prejudice. I would be pleased to discuss this with you further at your convenience. My direct ‘contact number is 1-877-593-7221, Ext. 3952. Once again, thank you for your interest in this process. Yours very truly, BLANEY, MeMURTRY LLP je Rober J. Potts ce: ANR'S (it cope of Pauls Lair’ commissioned bray 27,2005 a Mies 22010) HBILEYWORD) Alsons of Pntasigan Fis: Naon Main We\Comespondencs\ Pere doe