ST. JOHN’S - The Assembly of First Nations passed a motion Tuesday denouncing what the Innu Nation says is the Newfoundland and Labrador’s government’s reliance on a “discredited and unscientific” theory that Innu arrived in the province just 300 years ago.

Passed by consensus, the emergency motion was brought forward at the AFN’s annual general meeting in Ottawa by Chief Eugene Hart of the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation in Labrador. He made an emotional plea for support to the assembly, saying the provincial government has disrespected Innu elders and communities.