Aboriginal Governance
Fact Sheet: The Temagami Land Claim
Elements of the Proposed Temagami Land Claim Settlement
Introduction
On December 18, 2002, representatives of the Temagami First Nation, the Teme-Augama Anishnabai and Ontario reached an agreement on the elements of the proposed land claim settlement.
Lands
Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal community have agreed to seek the creation of an Indian Reserve of 127 square miles (330 square kilometres) of land, located within the 149 square miles (385 square kilometres) of land set aside for settlement purposes by the Ministry of Natural Resources in 1996 (see Map 1). A total of three square miles (eight square kilometres) of land for traditional families to use will also be identified.
Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal community have agreed that protection of the Temagami shoreline will be achieved by the creation of a Waterway Class Provincial Park, or by another appropriate provincial legislative mechanism. Shoreline protection will be in place for the mainland portion of Management Area 39 around Lake Temagami, excepting areas of high mineral potential, existing private lands and mining lands. Crown Land will remain subject to the Temagami Land Use Plan and private property will remain subject to municipal zoning.
The Temagami Aboriginal community recognizes that existing land use plans will form the basis of future and continuing uses of Indian Reserve lands adjacent to Cross Lake.
A new Aboriginal community site will be established near the village of Temagami in Strathcona Township or at Shiningwood Bay. The Strathcona site is on the south shore of the northeast arm of Lake Temagami (see Map 2).
The site will be chosen after further consultations with the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. The plan for the new community site would be developed in consultation with Ontario and the Municipality of Temagami, prior to the lands being transferred.
Limited shoreline development will also be permitted on Indian Reserve lands at Austin Bay and Friday's Point. The Aboriginal community will develop site plans compatible with municipal development standards before this land is developed.
Access permits, issued under section 28 of the Indian Act, will accommodate the continuation of a variety of existing uses such as utilities, roads, tourism activities, recreation and property access across reserve land.
Financial Compensation
The parties have agreed that Ontario will pay $20 million in financial compensation to the Temagami Aboriginal community.
Economic Development
The parties have agreed to measures that are intended to promote economic development for the benefit of the Temagami Aboriginal community and other residents in the region. The final settlement provides the Temagami Aboriginal community with a mix of land and cash for economic development initiatives totaling approximately $4 million.
The land component consists of four government-owned lots on Lake Temagami islands, two on Rabbit Lake and one on Herridge Lake. The Aboriginal community will acquire Forestry Island on Lake Temagami, a serviced lot in the municipal industrial park, and two businesses on a willing buyer-willing seller basis. If Shiningwood Bay is selected as the community site, Islands 574 and 1011 would also be made available to the Aboriginal community for economic development. They will not receive Indian Reserve status and will be subject to municipal standards.
Land Use and Resource Management
The parties will develop a Memorandum of Understanding or another mechanism to address the participation of both parties in Land Use and Resource Management consultation and coordination issues across all of Daki Menan (the land claim area – see Map 3).
Next Steps – Proposed Timetable
| Summer 2003 | Drafting completed |
| October 2003 | Agreement ratified by Aboriginal community |
| December 2003 | Agreement ratified by Ontario |
| February 2004 | Agreement ratified by Canada |
| Summer 2004 | Signing Event |
Continuing Public Involvement
As the final agreement is being drafted, consultations will continue. Specifically, Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal negotiators will be meeting with the affected property owners about the Strathcona community site proposal. The negotiators will also continue to meet with the existing advisory committees (Public Advisory Committee, Lake Workshop and Municipal Advisory Committee) as well as the Temagami Municipal Council about the land claim settlement.
Maps
Ron Ross
Minister's Office
416-326-4429
Chief Alexander Paul Sr.
Temagami First Nation
Phone: (705) 237-8943
Rosemary Sampson
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat
416-326-4780
Chief Doug McKenzie
Teme-Augama Anishnabai
Phone: (705) 237-8627
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