Another Ontario First Nation forced to threaten a blockade for INAC to act
from http://www.cbc.ca/toronto/story/chippewas-leasing20060525.html
Band in Ontario threatens to block access to cottages
Last updated May 25 2006 - CBC News
A First Nations group in Ontario is threatening to block access to a subdivision on its reserve that contains cottages unless Ottawa quickly renews a leasing agreement that brings money to the reserve.
The Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, whose reserve is north of Wiarton, say they are upset that the federal Indian Affairs Department has not yet renewed the agreement with non-natives who own cottages on 140 lots on their land. They say they have waited 10 years for the department to sign the agreement.
Their reserve occupies part of eastern shore of the Bruce Peninsula on Georgian Bay.
Under the Indian Act, the department is responsible for administering the leasing agreement, but the Chippewas say their 2,300 band members are running out of patience. They believe the delay in signing is a result of legal issues.
Chief Chief Paul Nadjiwan said if the agreement is not renewed soon, the band will have no choice but to prevent cottagers from entering the reserve. A "No Trepassing" sign put up in the subdivision a few weeks ago was taken down but was replaced with a new one over the Victoria Day weekend.
Nadjiwan said money from the cottagers cannot reach the community unless the lease is signed.
"If there is an agreement, they know that they are welcome, and they have always been treated well by our community," he said. "But if there is no agreement? Then they really can't access the site."
Cottagers in the subdivision, called Hope Bay, said they are caught in the middle, unable to sell their cottages because they do not have a lease to the land and unsure of what access they will have because of the dispute.
Paul Van der Camer, a cottager in the area, said the people who lease the cottages are not the problem.
"We've been there 38 years we've enjoyed it we haven't had a problem until this," he said.
"And it is unsettling because nobody knows what's going on."
Indian Affairs has issued temporary permits to the cottagers for the summer. The Chippewas are expected to meet with Indian Affairs on Monday to talk about the issue