Aboriginal Governance
Fall 2000
Temagami Land Claim Report
Newsletter Issue No. 2
A newsletter on the Temagami First Nation and Teme-Augama Anishnabai Land Claim Negotiations
The Temagami Land Claim Report Fall edition is the second in a series of newsletters produced by the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat (ONAS), an office of the Government of Ontario. It is intended to inform individuals and organizations that may have an interest in the negotiations to settle this claim.
A Message from Ontario's Negotiator
On June 21, 2000, the Government of Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal Community signed a Framework Agreement to negotiate a settlement with the Temagami Indians. It sets out the scope, process and timeframe for the negotiations to achieve a fair and balanced settlement for the Aboriginal community, area property owners and those who use the land.
The Agreement sets out a two-and-a-half year process, the first year of which will focus on information gathering. This will ensure that Ontario and Temagami Aboriginal community negotiators take into account the interests of all those potentially affected by the claim, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike.
The Open House, scheduled at the Temagami Arena on November 24, 2000 and at the Bear Island Recreation Centre on November 25, 2000 is meant to gather information and any concerns about the settlement lands adjacent to Lake Temagami. If you live in the claim area and are interested in the negotiation process, the Open House will provide an opportunity to share information or ask questions directly of me, my team and the Aboriginal community's negotiators.
Your participation is an essential part of this process. The Government of Ontario is committed to ensuring that the settlement process is consultative and appropriately addresses the concerns of all those potentially affected by the negotiations.
Please consult page three for information about the Open House and page four on how to keep informed, ask questions, or make your views known.
A Message from the Chiefs
The Temagami Aboriginal people are now into the process of negotiating a final settlement in a struggle for justice that has lasted for over a century. Since the signing of the Framework Agreement on June 21, 2000 (National Aboriginal Solidarity Day), the spirit of co-operation from all parties has breathed new life into a people and land awaiting affirmation of their traditional roles as Keepers of the Land.
Chief Raymond Katt of the Temagami First Nation, and Chief Doug McKenzie of the Teme-Augama Anishnabai, together extend their praise and thanks to all people contributing to the settlement process.
"The preservation of Daki Menan for the future generations of all nations shall remain our priority, and we encourage everyone to share this perspective," said Chief Raymond Katt. "A mainland settlement is essential for our nation to grow and contribute to the economy of the Temagami region. Our people, especially our youth, are depending on this process to provide them with the opportunities to build a good life on Daki Menan that is in balance with our cultural way of life."
"The vision of co-existence is now closer to realitywe can now plan a prosperous future with our neighbors. Economic development, growth, and the respectful use of Daki Menan are our priorities in negotiating this settlement," added Chief Doug McKenzie. "We're looking forward to the Open House, for it will be our opportunity to convey our spiritual link to our land to the non-Aboriginal community."
CHIEF RAYMOND KATT and CHIEF DOUG MCKENZIE can be contacted at the Temagami First Nation office.
Phone: (705) 237-8943 or (705) 237-8627
Toll free: 1-888-737-9884
Fax: (705) 237-8959
Email: dakimen@onlink.net
The Public Consultation Process and How The Public Can Get Involved
The process of negotiating a settlement with the Aboriginal people requires Ontario to consult with and address the many public and private interests affected.
Stakeholders, or those who may be affected by the settlement, can include:
- municipalities and agencies responsible for highway and hydro-electric corridors;
- private property owners, permanent or seasonal residents;
- businesses or commercial interests;
- other users of Crown land, e.g. hunters and anglers, canoeists and campers, snowmobilers.
Some ways you might get involved in the negotiation process include:
following the negotiation process through newsletters and other means, and contacting the Ontario negotiators directly to make your views known.
The Temagami Land Claim Report newsletter is widely distributed. It contains current and historic information about the Temagami negotiation process and provides directions on how to obtain additional information from the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat Web site, toll-free line and e-mail (see back page for address and telephone number).
For those who want more information, The Temagami Land Claim Fact Sheet can be viewed at the Web site and is available on request. It explains the Framework Agreement that is the basis of the negotiations.
Basic reference material concerning the settlement process is also available for public review in the Temagami Public Library.
attending the Open House.
An Open House will be held at the Temagami Arena on November 24, 2000 and at the Bear Island Recreation Centre on November 25, 2000. An Open House is an opportunity to participate in the process and get an update on the negotiations. Staff are available to answer questions. (See page 3 for more details.)
Ontario's Approach to Negotiating Aboriginal Land Claims
The Temagami land claim is one of 18 claims currently under negotiation by Ontario. Here are the steps in the process for land claims:
Submission of claim
A written statement setting out the claim with supporting historical and other documents is submitted by the claimant to the Minister Responsible for Native Affairs or the Secretary, Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat. Ontario consults with the federal Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to determine the status of the federal review of the claim.
Pre-Negotiation
The Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat conducts a preliminary analysis of the land claim documents to determine the nature of the claim and if additional research is needed. The Secretariat does a legal review and consults with other Ontario ministries to determine what interests may be affected by the claim. The Minister Responsible for Native Affairs decides whether to accept the claim for negotiation. A letter is sent to the claimant and negotiators for Ontario, Canada and the Aboriginal claimant are appointed.
Negotiation
Public consultation is conducted by the three parties throughout the negotiations. Consultation is done with those who might be affected by a claim to inform them that the claim has been accepted for negotiations and identify issues and concerns prior to a settlement. At the start of negotiations, Ontario prefers that the three parties conclude a negotiation framework agreement. With the Framework Agreement come process matters such as cost-sharing arrangements, negotiation timeframes, funding to the claimant during negotiations, the public involvement process and the approval procedures needed for the final agreement.
Settlement and implementation
When the parties reach a final agreement, an official signing ceremony involving the parties to the negotiation is usually held. The settlement in the final agreement may be in the
Shown from left to right are: Chief Doug McKenzie of the
Teme-Augama Anishnabai; Doug Carr, Chief Negotiator, Ontario; Chief Raymond Katt of the
Temagami First Nation; and Temagami Mayor Wayne Adair, at Bear Island.
Ontario's negotiating team continues to rely on advisors:
An advisory committee of representatives of key stakeholders from the local and regional area serves as a forum for identifying and conveying outstanding and emerging concerns. For the negotiator, it is a medium for obtaining advice and recommendations that reflect the views of the non-Aboriginal community.
The Municipal Advisory Group, composed of area municipal leaders, also advises Ontario's negotiators on local issues as well as on matters relating to the negotiation process. In addition, Wayne Adair, Mayor of Temagami, sits as a full member of Ontario's team during negotiations.
There is no substitute for meeting directly with groups representing those potentially affected by a settlement. Since signing the Framework Agreement in June, Ontario's negotiators have met with the Temagami Municipal Council, Lake Temagami Permanent Residents Association, Temagami Lakes Association, Temagami Tourist Outfitters Association, Association of Youth Camps of Lake Temagami, Marten River area residents, Friends of Temagami, and the West Nipissing Natural Resources Access Group. Meetings with other groups are being arranged.
Notice of Open House
Come and talk to the negotiators from Ontario and the Aboriginal Community.
Temagami Settlement Process Open House
November 24-25, 2000
This is your opportunity to drop in and meet the people negotiating the settlement process.
When/Where:
Friday, November 24, 2000
Temagami Arena
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 25, 2000
Bear Island Recreation Centre
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Why:
We want to hear from you:
Have we correctly identified all those who could potentially be affected by the settlement
of this claim? Do we understand how you could be affected?
You may want to hear from us:
About the basis of the negotiations and the process to be followed. Representatives from
Ontario and the TFN/TAA will be present to address questions you may have regarding your
interests or concerns about the settlement process.
For Additional Information, Questions, and Concerns
Temagami Land Claim page on ONAS Web site: www.nativeaffairs.jus.gov.on.ca
Temagami Information Line 1-888-456-3430
For Fact Sheets on the Agreement or, or if you do not wish to receive further information on
this matter call 1-888-456-3430
Write: Ontario Negotiating Team
c/o Doug Carr, Chief Negotiator
720 Bay Street, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M5G 2K1
Email: doug.carr@osaa.gov.on.ca
