Land claims negotiator already part of history

Daniel Nolan
The Hamilton Spectator

(Jul 19, 2008)

A Saskatoon lawyer viewed as legendary in native land claims negotiations has been appointed Ontario's senior negotiator in the Caledonia talks.

Tom Molloy, 67, was announced yesterday as the province's chief representative in talks with Six Nations and Ottawa over Six Nations land claims. He replaces Murray Coolican, a former deputy minister of Ontario's native affairs secretariat, who has retired after serving in the post since May 2007.

Molloy is part of Canadian history for serving 10 years as the chief federal negotiator on a land claim package with the Inuit that led to the establishment of Nunavut in 1999.

He was also Ottawa's chief negotiator who helped conclude negotiations in 1998 on the Nisga'a Treaty, the first modern treaty in the history of British Columbia.

Molloy said yesterday it was too early for him to speculate on what ideas he will bring when he joins the talks in September, but he noted he has 26 years of negotiation experience on issues similar to those faced in the Caledonia talks.

He is coming to the table as tensions rise in Brantford as members of Six Nations stage protests at worksites on land they claim they never surrendered. Police and protesters clashed on one site this week.

"I recognize that it's a huge challenge and there is a lot of uncertainty around it, but I'm hoping we can work together and find a solution," Molloy said.

"I've never started a negotiation, and all the various claims that I've been able to conclude, where the solution was apparent at the beginning."

The Caledonia talks began in May 2006 ostensibly to find a settlement over the native occupation of a housing project.

They branched into Six Nations' other land claims, and the talks have centred since December on Ottawa's $26-million offer to resolve a claim involving the flooding of Six Nations land in Dunnville by the building of the first Welland Canal in 1829.

Talks adjourned in June, partly owing to native concern over the Brantford situation. They are to resume next month, but no date has been set.

Ontario's spot will be filled by Chris Maher of the Aboriginal Affairs Ministry until Molloy comes on board.

Molloy couldn't say how long he will participate. The pattern for Ontario appears to be one year, and Molloy will also turn 68 on July 27. "I guess we'll take it one step at a time," he said.

His salary was not disclosed, but former chief negotiator Jane Stewart, who preceded Coolican, was paid $1,300 a day.