Temagami Land Claim Report

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Newsletter Issue No. 3

A newsletter on the Temagami First Nation and Teme-Augama Anishnabai Land Claim Negotiations

The Temagami Land Claim Report winter edition is the third 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

I was very happy to meet the many people who came out to the Open Houses held Nov. 24 and 25, 2000 in Temagami and on Bear Island, despite the snowstorm on the 24^th. Thank you to all those intrepid souls who were willing and able to brave the weather.

The Open Houses gave the public an opportunity to speak directly to the negotiators for Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal community. We were able to supplement the extensive information displays we had set up with one-on-one discussions about the negotiation process. As well, people were able to use the maps displayed to help us understand their particular interests.

The information we gained at these sessions has added to what we have already learned from talking with more than 50 stakeholder groups and individuals.

I am pleased to report that, early this year, the federal government agreed to have its representatives join the negotiating table. Federal negotiators will be participating to discuss issues relating to the potential creation of new reserve land as part of the settlement.

The next Open Houses are being planned for this summer. In the meantime Ontario's negotiation team will continue to meet with the Public Advisory Committee, Municipal Advisory Group, stakeholder groups and individuals. We will continue to learn about their interests, update them on negotiations and seek input into the framing of a final settlement. Our target is to reach that settlement by December 2002.

Contact Information:

DOUG CARR, Director of Negotiations
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat
Phone: 416-326-4771
Fax: 416-326-4017
Email: Doug.Carr@osaa.gov.on.ca

A Message from the Chiefs

The Temagami Aboriginal Community is pleased to welcome the federal government's participation in the settlement discussions. We now have all the necessary parties involved to settle the land issues that have been looming for over a century. The positive relationships that have been established between ourselves and the federal and provincial negotiators reflect our desire to reach a settlement.

Chief Raymond Katt of the Temagami First Nation and Chief Doug McKenzie of the Teme-Augama Anishnabai are hopeful that the needs of our growing population will now be met. Planning for the future growth and development is first and foremost.

Chief Raymond Katt stated, "The Open Houses were very successful, as they were our opportunity to reassure the public that while our goal in this process is to build a stronger economy and land base for our people, we will not forget the interests and growth of the larger Temagami community. We must find a way to work together, for the benefit of all the residents of Daki Menan. This holistic view has been the centre of our people for centuries." Chief Doug McKenzie added, "Our nation is large, and diverse, with many skills to offer in the developing Temagami economy. However, our present land base (one square mile reserve) does not provide the space or opportunity for people to live and grow on Daki Menan. A larger land base will alleviate this problem, and will provide a solid foundation for the future of our nation."

Contact Information:

CHIEF RAYMOND KATT and CHIEF DOUG MCKENZIE
Phone: (705) 237-8943 or (705) 237-8627
Toll free: 1-888-737-9884
Fax: (705) 237-8959
Email: dakimen@onlink.net

Negotiators Learn at Open Houses

In November 2000 residents and interested parties participated at two Open Houses held in Temagami and Bear Island.

These Open Houses provided participants with updates on the Temagami Claim negotiations process and the issues and the areas of interest that have been identified to date. Both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal attendees said that the event provided useful background information about the claim process and supplied a forum where comments, suggestions and questions could be addressed by representatives of the Daki Menan (Aboriginal) and Ontario Government negotiating teams.

An extensive display of maps, historical photographs and information on the negotiation process were available to aid in the understanding of the claim.

Participants used the maps to identify their interests and update or correct the information that negotiators have collected so far.

Issues of interest to those in attendance included questions of accessibility such as whether portage routes, camp sites and overland winter routes would remain available, the nature of any possible mainland development and the Temagami Claim Public Advisory Committee's role in the 30 month negotiating process, (Please see page 3 for more information on this committee.)

Negotiators for the Temagami Aboriginal community and Ontario were pleased with the results of the Open Houses. Feedback from the event indicated that people from all communities in the claim area are interested in continuing opportunities to get information about the negotiations and to make their views known to the negotiators.

The next Open Houses are being planned for this summer. In the meantime, please below on how to get more information on the Temagami claim.

Panels like this one were displayed at the November Open Houses held in Temagami and Bear Island. This panel reflects the feedback from local residents and Advisory Committees heard by Ontario's negotiators.

The Temagami Claim Public Advisory Committee

The Temagami Claim Public Advisory Committee (known as PAC) is made up of representatives of 12 local residents and stakeholder groups with interests in the Temagami area. The Public Advisory Committee is mandated to advise Ontario's negotiating team on Crown land uses, private property, municipal zoning and official planning processes, and any other interests that may be affected by claim negotiations.

The Public Advisory Committee has provided the Ontario negotiating team with valuable insight into local issues and advice in the four meetings we have had to date. As the negotiations proceed through the process set out in the Framework Agreement, the role of the Public Advisory Committee will be to continue to help the Ontario negotiating team stay informed and provide input and feedback to the negotiators in the development of settlement options.

For more information on the Advisory Committee contact:

Doug Carr
Director of Negotiations
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat
720 Bay Street, 4^th floor
Toronto, ON  M5G 2K1
Phone: 416-326-4771
Fax: 416-326-4017

The Framework Agreement Scope and Process

On June 21, 2000, the Government of Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal Community signed a Framework Agreement to negotiate a claim settlement. The timeframe for the negotiations is two-and-a-half years.

The Framework Agreement sets out three phases to the settlement discussions:

• Information gathering/factfinding (one year)
• Development of settlement options (six months)
• Negotiation of a draft Agreement in Principle (AIP) (one year)

The Framework Agreement identifies the following areas of negotiation:

• Settlement lands
• Traditional family lands
• Financial compensation
• Identification of economic development opportunities, including financial compensation directed to economic development initiatives
• Consultation and coordination regarding land use planning and resource management

Settlement discussions will involve the federal government.

More detailed information may be found in Fact Sheet Number 1 Spring 2000. This is available on our Web site at www.nativeaffairs.jus.gov.on.ca.

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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, 4^th Floor
Toronto, ON  M5G 2K1
Email: doug.carr@osaa.gov.on.ca

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