Caledonia land claim talks off until next year, negotiators say
THE CANADIAN PRESS
CALEDONIA, Ont. - Negotiations on Six Nations land claims will likely resume in the new year, but Canada's chief negotiator has signalled he will not entertain a $500-million proposal put forward by aboriginals this fall to settle a claim in Dunnville.
The three sides have not met since June when talks adjourned, partly because of aboriginal dismay over developments in Brantford on land claimed by Six Nations and moves by the city to get an injunction to halt protesters from stopping work projects.
Ottawa offered $26 million a year ago to resolve payment for the flooding of land that Six Nations once controlled along the Grand River in the 1820s.
The 10 square kilometres was flooded in 1829 to help build the first Welland Canal. Six Nations had been promised compensation five years earlier but didn't get it.
“Negotiations are the way to go and we're anxious to get back to the table to resolve it,” Ron Doering said. “We still believe the $26-million offer is a fair and reasonable offer and we'll be back stating that when we get to the table.”
Ottawa, Six Nations and Ontario had aimed to return to the talks Tuesday, but Six Nations chief negotiator and Mohawk chief Allen MacNaughton said some members of his team are unavailable.
He said Doering, who plans to present a federal response to the $500-million offer, had suggested talks resume in January, but Doering said it could happen before then.
MacNaughton said his team is not avoiding the talks, though he admitted he finds it frustrating.
He said the $500-million offer is “definitely” open to negotiation, and he hopes Ottawa has the same view of its $26-million offer.
“I would hope so because, if they're not, that's really not negotiating, is it?” MacNaughton said. “The best solution is a negotiated solution.”
The talks began in May 2006 in the wake of an occupation of a Caledonia housing project and a failed provincial police raid to oust the protesters.