Lac Seul First Nation hosting series of Information Sessions on $25M settlement offer
Lac Seul members to decide fate of government offer
by: Brent Wesley - Wawatay News - August 5, 2010: Volume 37 #16, Page A19
The Government of Canada has offered Lac Seul First Nation $25 million for a century-old claim regarding illegal harvesting of timber from the community.
The offer came after a May 2009 court ruling in favour of Lac Seul.
The First Nation claims burnt and dead timber was illegally harvested in the community in 1907 and the reserve’s timber was surrendered to Canada in 1919 through illegal transactions.
After two months of trial, a judge ruled in favour of the community but rather than make a decision on the settlement, the judge asked both parties to negotiate an agreement. Canada made its offer in early July after a year of negotiations.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Lac Seul Chief Clifford Bull said of the offer.
However, it’s not the amount he originally wanted as the community sought $29 million.
The agreement comes with a condition that 25 per cent of eligible voters must approve the offer. That referendum will happen Sept. 9.
In the meantime Bull said his staff will begin informing community members of the offer by doing outreach in the community and to off-reserve members.
Similar to the 2006 settlement from Ontario Power Generation regarding flooding claims, chief and council will allocate a portion of the money for band membership.
Bull said the offer does not apply to the ongoing flood claim with the federal government, which the community has been seeking for more than 20 years.
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LAC SEUL FIRST NATION BAND MEMBERS INVITE TO INFORMATION SESSIONS
Lac Seul First Nation will be hosting regional Information Session to update the Membership on, and to discuss, the recent Offer of Settlement received from Canada with respect to historic Timber Trespasses on the Lac Seul Indian Reserve (I.R. No. 28)
The following sessions will be held: