David laird explaining treaty 8 fort vermilion 1899   na 949 34

The struggle of the Lubicon cree to affirm their identity

  • The Lubicon are left out of treaty 8

     The Lubicon are left out of treaty 8
    The results of being left out of Treaty 8 were detrimental to the lubicon cree. This meant that the government did not recognize them a native people group, excluding them from any benefit that it might hold.
  • Lubicon are promised a piece of land

    Lubicon are promised a piece of land
    This occasion was very joyous for the lubicon. They were given the right to their land and recognized by the federal government as a people group. Although this meant little to the government. The only reason they agreed to give them the land was because it was so off the beaten path.
  • Oil is discovered on Lubicon land

    Oil is discovered on Lubicon land
    Due to the discovery of oil, the government took interest in the Lubicon land. The government of Alberta started to question the federal government regarding the Lubicon rights.
  • A road is built to so as to access the Lubicon land for oil

    A road is built to so as to access the Lubicon land for oil
    After the Alberta Government asked the federal government about the Lubicon. The federal government stated that they are “merely squatters on Provincial crown land with no land rights to negotiate.” This leads to the construction of an all weathered road.
  • The Lubicon file a caveat

    The Lubicon file a caveat
    The Alberta government rejects this so the matter is brought to court.
  • The Lubicons case is made invalid

    The Lubicons case is made invalid
    Although the law is clearly in favor of the lubicon, the courts pass a law that make the Lubicons caveat invalid. Therefore they are dismissed without any compensation.
  • A sour gas plant is built near a Lubicon village

    A sour gas plant is built near a Lubicon village
    The construction of a sour gas plant leaves the Lubicon worried about possible health risks.
  • Lubicon go back to court

    Lubicon go back to court
    The lubicon, fed up with the activity the road has brought, goes back to court to try and fight for their land rights. This results in Alberta declaring the Lubicon as " an official provincial hamlet and therefore no longer available for purposes of establishing an Indian reserve.” This resulted in house demolition and a lot of fines because natives refused to comply to the Tenure program
  • The world council of Churches investigate

    The world council of Churches investigate
    After extensive investigation. The world Council of Churches declares that the “government & multinational oil companies have taken actions that could have genocidal consequences.”(referring to the Lubicon people)
  • The Lubicon start to see physical problems arising due to the pollution.

    The Lubicon start to see physical problems arising due to the pollution.
    Out of 21 Lubicon pregnancies, 19 result in stillbirths or miscarriages.
  • The Lubicon boycott the 1986 Olympics

    The Lubicon boycott the 1986 Olympics
    The Lubicon boycott the Olympics. As a result, 30 museums world wide refuse to lend artifacts to the games Indian art exhibit, sponsored by Shell.
  • The UN humans rights committee warns Canada oying the Lubicon laands

    The UN humans rights committee warns Canada oying the Lubicon laands
    After 3 years of studying the case. The UN Humans Rights Committee states that the Canadian Government has done so much damage that there can be no redress. They also tell them to stop destroying the Lubicon land. The government ignores them.
  • A blockade is constructed by the lubicon.

    A blockade is constructed by the lubicon.
    After 14 years in court, the lubicon people withdraw and take action. They construct a peaceful blockade, and for 6 days the were undisturbed by the oil industry. Although armed RCMP officers forcefully removed the blockade. The Alberta premier meets with the chief and a negotiation takes place. An agreement is made and the Lubicon are given a 243-square kilometre reserve.
  • The UN charges Canada with a human rights violation

    The UN charges Canada with a human rights violation
    The UN charge Canada after stating that, “recent developments threaten the way of life and culture of the Lubicon Lake Cree.”
  • The Lubicon boycott a major logging company

    The Lubicon boycott a major logging company
    47 companies representing over 4,300 retailers, who commit to cease buying Daishowa paper products. The company stops clear cutting Lubicon land while the boycott is on running.Four years later, Daishowa agrees not to log or buy wood cut on Lubicon land until the land rights are settled.
  • The government continues to lease out Lubicon land

    The government continues to lease out Lubicon land
    The Lubicon's case still remain's unsettled.