Michipicoten First Nation settles land claim, moving towards local development
COO press release ...
Historic Achievement for Michipicoten First Nation
TORONTO, Jan. 16 - Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse extended congratulations to the Michipicoten First Nation on their historic land claim settlement with Canada and Ontario. Following a successful ratification vote held on January 12, 2008, Chief Joe Buckell and the Michipicoten First Nation Council authorized a resolution calling for the negotiated land claim agreement to be signed by all three governments.
The land claim settlement package amounts to $58.8 million dollars, in both land value and monetary compensation. The claim settlement package represents the 2nd largest specific land claim settlement in Ontario.
"I congratulate Chief Buckell, the Michipicoten First Nation Council, and their citizens on this significant accomplishment. This Agreement represents a meaningful and proud moment for the Michipicoten First Nation. Its conclusion provides justice for a historic wrong, and hope and greater opportunity for their future generations" said Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.
Regional Chief Toulouse further pointed out that this Agreement, and the efficiency with which it was concluded demonstrates that "with commitment, creativity and political will, governments and First Nations together can address long unresolved claims through negotiation without confrontation and conflict."
For further information: Pam Hunter, (416) 597-1266 or Policy Advisor, (613) 203-3233
++++++++++
Michipicoten First Nation lands ground-breaking land-claim settlement - Michipicoten land-claim settlement costs $50M; First Nation also gains 3,000 acres near Wawa in ground-breaking deal
Posted By By Shirley Mills - January 16, 2007
WAWA — Michipicoten First Nation has gained 3,000 acres of land and $50 million compensation in a ground-breaking land-claim settlement.
The deal with the federal and provincial governments was reached in just 10 years, using a process initiated by former Michipicoten chief Sam Stone.
Michipicoten First Nation gains two parcels of Crown land, one adjacent to the First Nation, 24 kilometres southwest of Wawa on Lake Superior, and another extending to Highway 17.
First Nation officials hope the highway frontage will permit economic developments such as a service station.
Some existing uses on that parcel are excluded from the land settlement.
Members voted earlier this week, with 484 of the 499 votes cast in favour of ratifying the land claim deal. Chief Joe Bucknell and council members then passed a resolution authorizing signing of the settlement agreement.
Considered to be the second-largest native land claim settlement in Ontario, it is the last of six claims by Michipicoten First Nation, officially registered as Gros Cap Indian Reserve No. 49.
The $50 million will be used to enhance existing benefits and set up a trust fund that Bucknell said will have ongoing benefits to Michipicoten First Nation members for 100 years.
While no firm plans are in place, projects such as a wind farm have been mentioned. No logging is planned on most of the land.
“We’re a first nation community with zero unemployment,” Buckell said, partly because of an agreement with a gold mine in the area that is on traditional lands.
Advertisement
He said the settlement gives Michipicoten First Nation opportunities for economic and community development and will foster a positive business climate for the First Nation and its non-aboriginal neighbours.
“This is a proud moment in the history of our First Nation and for our people and an example of what can be accomplished through dedication and co-operation,” he said.
Buckell, who was involved in the past five years of negotiations, said there were no big contentious issues .
The Michipicoten Pilot Project initiated by Stone introduced the idea of a joint specific claims process. This pilot process settled the Michipicoten claim faster than previous ones, that often take decades because each government involved does its own research and individual studies.
“We want to build on our strengths and develop the real potential of these lands and of our people,” Stone said in 1997.