The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte band council is still mulling over how to proceed with the Culbertson Tract land claim.
Chief R. Donald Maracle told The Intelligencer his council will meet with its lawyers in the coming days to discuss whether to continue negotiating with the federal government.
The decision, he said, won't be made until the band receives a letter from Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, outlining the federal government's land claim policy in writing -- something Maracle requested when the two sides met June 23.
The federal government and the band began negotiations this spring on how to return the 923 acres of land to native control.
The area, known as the Culbertson Tract, covers half the town of Deseronto and about 500 acres of Tyendinaga Township.
Talks broke down when the government told the band it would not expropriate land.
Instead, it is offering financial compensation the band could use to purchase land back if and when properties in the area go up for sale.
The two sides have a meeting scheduled later this month, but the band has not decided whether to cancel it yet.
"If that meeting occurs, we need to have a formal response from Indian Affairs prior to that meeting," Maracle said.
"We asked for his position to be put in writing and we're just waiting for the letter. We'll make a decision based on the contents of the letter."
He said the band has received support from several parties who share the belief the federal policy is unacceptable because it asks natives to buy back land that was never surrendered.
Maracle said the Quinte Labour Council wrote to the band to offer its support.
He also pointed out a motion calling for the government to change its policy was presented in the federal House of Commons by NDP aboriginal affairs critic Jean Crowder.
The motion was presented during routine procedures on June 19, but did not make it to the table because it did not have unanimous consent.