Akwesasne Grand Chief Mike Mitchell said his community is willing to work in partnership with Cornwall to try and acquire government-owned lands along the city's waterfront.
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne issued a statement Tuesday in response to Coun. Denis Thibault's proposal to set up a committee to work towards acquiring federally-owned lands along Cornwall's shoreline.
Thibault's proposal is aimed at accelerating development of the waterfront while at the same time retaining public ownership of the lands, however the idea hit a bit of a snag on Monday as city council wrestled with the question of what, if any, role Akwesasne should have in the process. When the federal government was looking to divest the Cornwall harbour several years ago, Akwesasne was part of the talks.
Mitchell said they have a lot of ideas for potential joint-development opportunities with Cornwall.
"We've never had the opportunity to really sit down and talk about matters of joint interest or benefit," said Mitchell. "This (proposal) is probably going to give us that opportunity."
Though he didn't want to get into specifics without speaking to Cornwall leaders first, Mitchell said they have ideas for possible joint ventures with the city for the port as well as the marina and other lands west "up to the (power) dam."
Akwesasne has more than just a passing interest in Cornwall's waterfront.
The area is part of an outstanding land claim known as the North Shore Claim.
Mitchell didn't want to get into specifics of the claim, however he said the federal government is aware of it, and that's why there is a duty to consult Akwesasne when the talk turns to divestiture of those lands.
According to Internet accounts, the North Shore Claim dates back to the settlement of Cornwall some 225 years ago when founder and Loyalist leader Sir John Johnson granted lands to military men who served under him during the American Revolution. Akwesasne claims those lands belonged to them.
Mitchell said he's hoping to arrange a meeting with city officials in the near future to discuss the potential waterfront development partnership further.
The grand chief's response was warmly received by Thibault, who suggested it was yet another reason to move ahead with a new approach on waterfront development.
Thibault said he could probably come up with 20 reasons why Akwesasne's participation in the process could complicate things, but on the other hand, he could also think of 20 reasons why it will make things a lot easier.
"Nothing is easy. If it would have been easy (to develop the waterfront), it would have been done in 1958," Thibault said. "Maybe it's time for the two communities to get together and do something to benefit both communities."
The councillor suggested the partnership could help to sort out some outstanding issues such as the customs facility and new bridge, and it could also open up some doors to developing the waterfront on both sides of the river.
"Think of what could happen on both sides," he added.
Thibault said he isn't aware of the specific details surrounding the land claim, but he feels that offers all the more reason to sit down with Akwesasne officials and discuss the issues.
"There's potential problems in everything," he said.
Council has passed Thibault's proposal on to administration for further review.