Aboriginal Governance
Fact Sheet: The Temagami Land Claim
Update on Elements of the Proposed Temagami Land Claim Settlement
The following information contained within this fact sheet was agreed upon by the negotiators and does not necessarily reflect the agreement of the community. Decisions from the community will be available pending the ratification process.
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
The province of 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). An additional three square miles (eight square kilometres) of land for the use of traditional families will also be identified.
The province of Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal community have agreed that protection for the mainland portion of Management Area 39 around Lake Temagami will be achieved by the creation of a Waterway Class Provincial Park. Areas of high mineral potential, existing private lands and mining lands will be excluded from the park. Existing uses will be maintained in these areas, which 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.
An Aboriginal community site will be established within the new Reserve at Shiningwood Bay (see Map 2). The plan for the new community site will be developed in consultation with the province of Ontario and the Municipality of Temagami, prior to the lands being transferred. Development standards will be compatible with those of the municipality.
The Aboriginal community will develop site plans compatible with municipal development standards before shoreline development occurs on Indian Reserve lands at Austin Bay and Friday's Point.
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 access across reserve land to private properties.
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 and Islands 574 and 1011 on Lake Temagami, a serviced lot in the Temagami municipal industrial park, and two businesses on a willing buyer-willing seller basis. These lands will be transferred in fee simple 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).
Milestones – Proposed Timetable
| Fall 2003 | Section 28 permits negotiated; consultations continue |
| Winter 2003-04 | Negotiations concluded |
| Spring 2004 | Temagami Aboriginal community ratification; Ontario and Canada ratify agreement |
| Summer 2004 | Signing ceremony at Bear Island |
| 2004 and beyond | Multi-year implementation process |
Continuing Public Involvement
As the final agreement is being drafted, consultations will continue. Specifically, the negotiating teams for the province of Ontario, the Temagami Aboriginal community and Canada have met and will continue meeting with the affected property owners about the Shiningwood Bay community site. 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, as necessary, about the land claim settlement.
Maps
For more information, you can contact the negotiators:
Mike Molyneaux
Temagami First Nation
Phone: (705) 237-8627
Chief Alexander Paul Sr.
Temagami First Nation
Phone: (705) 237-8943
Doug Carr
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat
Phone: 416-326-4771
Chief Doug McKenzie
Teme-Augama Anishnabai
Phone: (705) 237-8627
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