KAREN BEST / Chronicle Staff Writer
June 06, 2007
Six Nations Confederacy negotiators dismissed Canada's offer of $125 million for four land and money issues last week and volleyed back their demand for a return of land.
"We have maintained throughout negotiations that any settlement must provide for the return of land," said Mohawk Chief Allen MacNaughton.
"Land is what we need. Land is what we're after and land is what we're going to get," said Cayuga Sub-Chief Leroy Hill. The two men are Six Nations negotiators at the table with provincial and federal negotiators.
On May 30, Canada presented a $125 million offer at the Haldimand Tract lands table meeting.
The offer was compensation for the 30,800-acre Moulton Township claim, 2,415 acres of land flooded between Dunnville and Cayuga by the dam installed to feed the Welland Canal and 5,233 acres of the Burtch Tract which is in Brant County.
The deal also included restitution for Six Nations funds lost in the 19th century Grand River Navigation Company investment.
Federal negotiator Barb McDougall said she was encouraged that Six Nations negotiators were considering the offer.
Members of Six Nations found the financial offer insulting and insufficient.
Click here to find out more!
Onondaga Chief Arnie General called the offer ridiculous. As far as MacNaughton was concerned, the $125 million was an initial offer. When he compared it to the $130 million paid by a Six Nations company in federal taxes, the offer was "a paltry sum." The token amount did not come close to what his people wanted, he said.
Six Nations lands expert Phil Monture said the navigation company investment was not yet filed as an outstanding amount. A day after the navigation company deal was announced, MacNaughton asked for it to be withdrawn. Due to the enormity of the claim, he wanted an analysis.
On May 31, Six Nations critiqued Canada's offer at the main negotiating table meeting. MacNaughton said Six Nations did ask for resolution of the Nathan Gage claim, where the Brantford casino stands, and for the land block at the source of the river. They also want to move forward on resolution of the Caledonia town plots, the Plank Road from the Seneca townline to King Street in Hagersville and lots alongside Plank Road.
MacNaughton said the Haudenosaunee are committed to working with the federal and provincial crown to ensure any financial aspect of a settlement is directed toward land. He said the $125 million could be used to provide Six Nations with clear title and ownership of Block 5, Moulton Township. He and Hill said their people's rights will not be extinguished in any settlements.
Canada's offer came with conditions including ratification by the people of Six Nations and recognition that the agreement is a full and final settlement. Further legal action will not be permitted and Six Nations must relinquish all interests in land.
This last condition will clear legal status of the lands and "all persons can rely on that status", stated federal negotiator Ron Doering in his offer.
Before a settlement is concluded, Canada required the end of Douglas Creek Estates occupation in Caledonia. Doering stated that "its continuation would be inconsistent and irreconcilable" with grievance or rights issue settlement.
MacNaughton described the action as "reclamation". He said, "The Douglas Creek lands have been repatriated."
In an interview with media, Doering said Canada had no land to offer and that all claims before Canada were about financial resolutions. "Canada came up with what we thought was a fair offer," he said.
"Canada has taken the position they don't have land. What are they living on and it's our land," said MacNaughton. "We need to get through this stage of denial and start talking about it."
Hill said Six Nations is looking for an accounting for loss of use. For these cases, a lump sum payment would be appropriate and would be used for the perpetual care and maintenance of his people.
Hill recognized Canada and Six Nations were miles apart with their views on money and land.
However he recognized Canada's step forward. "It's encouraging the federal government is bringing something in the room to negotiate," he said.
"For most of the year, the Canadian public has never really been told we are owed anything," said Hill. "This is an indication of some level of magnitude in the form of finances. It's a start for your government to take some responsibility."
Before the parties meet again next week, some work must be completed, said Doering. Six Nations asked how Canada calculated the offer amount.