ST. JOHN’S — The Canadian government says it is ending talks about Indigenous rights and recognition with the NunatuKavut Community Council in Labrador. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada says it reviewed information provided by the group and found it did not meet established tests for rights under section 35 of the Constitution. Section 35 of the Constitution Act recognizes and affirms Indigenous and treaty rights. In response, the community council accused the federal government of bowing to pressure from other Indigenous groups. In a statement Wednesday, the NunatuKavut Community Council said it is a strong Inuit government committed to having its rights recognized. The council says it represents about 6,000 Inuit in southern and central Labrador, though it is not recognized by the Inuit Nunatsiavut government in northern Labrador, nor by the national Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami organization. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2026.
