Daniel Nolan
NEW CREDIT — A major breakthrough in claim talks was announced today by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Chuck Strahl, and Chief Bryan LaForme of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.
Canada has made an offer to settle the Brant Tract and the Toronto Purchase specific claims. The First Nation has agreed to take this settlement offer to its members for a vote. The proposed settlement includes $145 million in financial compensation to resolve both claims.
Neither claim has any direct relationship to the ongoing land occupation in Caledonia, but its government negotiator, Ron Doering, says he’s hopeful that the New Credit deal adds impetus to the Caledonia talks. The Douglas Creek Estates residentlal construction site was seized Feb. 28, 2006, by a handful of Six Nations protesters pressing historic land claims.
“The progress achieved at this table shows that claim talks can deliver tangible results when partners work together to find common solutions,” said Strahl, who joined community members and students at a celebratory event held today at the Lloyd S. King Elementary School. “Together, we have taken a decisive step forward to settle an outstanding dispute tied to the history of Canada's largest city.”
“The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation has a history of providing our members with the opportunity to participate in important community decisions,” said LaForme. “The culmination of these negotiations will allow us to ensure our membership has input into the Trust Agreement and settlement of the claim.”
A series of meetings will be held to provide New Credit membership with a thorough understanding of what this proposed offer by the federal government entails. A ratification vote will follow later this spring.
This settlement offer involves two claims - one dealing with a 1797 land purchase and the other relating to the Toronto Purchase of 1805. The basis of the two claims is that Canada did not provide the First Nation with adequate compensation for the land at the time of purchase. The current ownership of land is not in question on either claim. These claims are for financial compensation only.
The next step in the resolution process is for the negotiators to draft the legal text of a Settlement Agreement. The First Nation must also prepare a Trust Agreement in consultation with its members.
When this work is complete, the First Nation will launch an information campaign to explain the proposed settlement to its members. No settlement is possible without the vote and approval of the First Nation's membership. If a favourable vote is reached, the Settlement Agreement must also be approved by Canada before it can be finalized.
The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation has approximately 1,842 members.