Aboriginal Governance
Summer 2002
Temagami Land Claim Report
Newsletter Issue No. 6
A newsletter on the Temagami First Nation and Teme-Augama Anishnabai Land Claim Negotiations
The Temagami Land Claim Report Summer edition is the sixth 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 about the progress of the land claim negotiation.
A Message from Ontario's Negotiator
I would like to thank everyone who has taken the trouble to respond to the Temagami Claim Settlement Model released in March 2002 by Ontario, the Aboriginal community and Canada's negotiators.
Your observations will help us ensure that we reach a settlement which resolves the land claim in a way that will promote economic development in the region and help minimize impacts on the non-Aboriginal community.
This edition of the newsletter sets out some of the comments you made about the settlement model, as well as answers to some of the questions you have raised.
The next step is an Open House sponsored jointly by Ontario, the Temagami Aboriginal community and Canada. It will occur on July 24th and 25th. The parties to the Temagami negotiations will present a settlement proposal that reflects a more focused vision of what the final settlement agreement will contain than was articulated in the settlement model.
Please see page four of this newsletter for more details of this event. I look forward to meeting with many of you at the Open House.
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
Web site: www.nativeaffairs.jus.gov.on.ca
A Message from the Chiefs
Progress towards a final settlement for the Temagami Aboriginal community is continuing, with a ratification process expected to begin by Spring 2003. Negotiators from the TFN/TAA, Ontario, and Canada are interested in hearing your concerns at Open House III.
Newly elected Temagami First Nation Chief Alex Paul Sr. brings a renewed sense of optimism to the process, with a strong dedication to cooperation and to the growth of the Aboriginal community. Chief Doug McKenzie of the Teme Augama Anishnabai shares this view.
Together, the Joint Councils of the Temagami Aboriginal community are refining plans aimed at promoting a positive outcome at ratification.
Chief Doug McKenzie stated, "Our people are beginning to develop a vision of themselves that includes 112 square miles of reserve land. Everyone remains optimistic, and is pulling together more now that we are approaching the end of these negotiations. We're committed to continue with the progress we've made so far."
Chief Alex Paul Sr. added, "Our focus is to ensure that the needs of our people will be taken care of, which includes a land base sufficient for future generations to develop economically. We need to ensure that we are all fully involved in the stewardship of Daki Menan and all of her resources. We're all in this together—the Native and the non-Native communities."
We invite everyone to come out to our Open House III event.
Contact Information:
CHIEF ALEXANDER PAUL SR. and CHIEF DOUG MCKENZIE
Daki Menan Negotiation office
Phone: (705) 237-8627 or (705) 237-8943
Toll free in Ontario: 1-888-737-9884
Fax: (705) 237-8959
Email: dakimen@onlink.net
Web site:
www.temagamifirstnation.ca
There are three phases taking place over a 30 month period. Phase 1 (12 months) is information gathering / issues identification. Phase 2 (6 months) is developing options to address issues. Phase 3 (12 months) is seeking consensus through negotiation. The conclusion of the negotiation process will be a final settlement of the land claim. The negotiation process will be informed by Aboriginal Community and Public consultation. At the time of this land claim report, the negotiations were at Phase 3.
A Message from the Federal Negotiator
As you are aware, Canada's involvement in the negotiations is limited to assisting with the resolution of land issues likely to arise out of the settlement of the claim between the Government of Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal community.
Canada is working with Ontario and the First Nation to develop a settlement that will balance the interests of all parties. The Government of Canada believes that resolution of the Temagami claim will foster the social and economic well-being of the Temagami region and bring long-term opportunities for business partnerships and sustainable economic development to both the Temagami Aboriginal community and the surrounding communities.
Contact Information:
Linda MacWilliams, Manager, Land Negotiations
Ontario Regional Office, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Phone: 416-973-6923
What We Heard
During the past 24 months of our negotiations with the Temagami Aboriginal community, Ontario's negotiators have met with regional community and business leaders, as well as individuals and organizations that could be affected by a Temagami claim settlement agreement. Our public consultations have included meetings with more than 50 advisory groups and individuals.
In March 2002, we published the Temagami Claim Settlement Model. This document, produced jointly by negotiators for the Aboriginal community, Canada and Ontario, presents stakeholders with an overview of the direction we have been taking (for more information please see www.nativeaffairs.jus.gov.on.ca). We received more than 50 responses to the settlement model from residents, ratepayer organizations, cottagers, cottager organizations, industry leaders, industry associations, municipalities and environmental organizations.
While many views were expressed, in general respondents were supportive of the idea of utilizing a regulatory mechanism to ensure protection of the skyline reserve of Lake Temagami. This is a sample of what we heard:
- The parties are so close.
- The park proposal demonstrates a joint commitment to protect the unique natural features of the lake shoreline while offering a fair settlement to the Aboriginal community.
- The park scenario is an excessive regulation tool to protect the skyline of the lake.
- Clip the Red Squirrel Road out of the settlement lands.
- Protect canoe routes and portages.
- Encourage economic development that builds on the Temagami wilderness experience.
- Economic development should be a benefit to the Aboriginal and the non-Aboriginal community.
- Use money to compensate the Aboriginal community, not land.
- Protect access to Lake Temagami at Baie Jeanne and on the West shore of Cross Lake.
- Extend shoreline protection to include the west side of Cross Lake.
- There should be no new roads or motorized vehicle trails through Crown land to access the new Traditional Family Lands sites and the developments planned at Friday's Point and Austin Bay.
- Finlayson Point Park is a valued economic development asset to the Town of Temagami and should remain a park.
- People are concerned about the impact of wastewater on the lake ecosystem from a large Shiningwood Bay community.
- Crown Islands in Lake Temagami are part of the Temagami wilderness experience offered to tourists and should be protected from development.
- Concern about the social and environmental impacts of increased traffic, noise and change in the land use patterns of these areas.
Come to our Open House and see our settlement proposal. We encourage you to ask us about how we've responded to your diverse concerns.
Questions and Answers about the Settlement Model
In response to the Settlement Model we received a large number of questions as well as comments. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers.
Will new roads or motorized vehicle trails be allowed on Crown land to access Friday's Point, Austin Bay and the 14 Traditional Family Lands (TFLs)?
Crown land use will follow the Temagami Land Use Plan (TLUP) and Official Plan for these locations. This will mean that there will be no road access to Friday's Point and Austin Bay.
What is meant by limited development at Friday's Point, Austin Bay?
A site plan will be developed to address key planning concerns of the parties. The parties have agreed to adopt the highest environmental standard amongst standards held by Ontario, Canada and the Aboriginal community.
Why are there TFLs and economic development lots? Isn't the 112 square miles provided by the settlement enough to resolve the claim?
The land provided in TFLs will allow the Temagami Aboriginal community to continue to use traditional lands in their 4,000 square mile claim area.
In consideration of the lack of development opportunities on the settlement land shoreline of Lake Temagami a limited number of cottage lots are being made available on islands in Lake Temagami.
Will it be possible for non-Aboriginal people to use Native land?
Non-Aboriginal people are currently permitted to freely visit Bear Island if they do nothing to affect the condition of the land. This approach could continue for the settlement lands. The settlement agreement will provide protection of specific significant uses such as major canoe routes and snowmobile trails.
Which canoe routes will receive specific protection?
The five canoe routes appearing on the Ministry of Natural Resources canoeing maps for Lake Temagami are protected.
Temagami Negotiation Open House
July 24-25, 2002
Come and talk to the negotiators from Ontario, Canada and the Temagami Aboriginal community about the Temagami Claim Settlement Proposal Open House III.
This is your opportunity to review the settlement proposal and ask questions of the people negotiating the claim.
Wednesday July 24, 2002
Temagami Municipal Offices, Gallery Room
Anytime between 1pm and 5pm
Anytime between 7pm and 9pm
Thursday July 25, 2002
Bear Island Recreation Centre
Anytime between 2pm and 8pm
We want to hear from you.
What do you think of the elements fo the settlement proposal?
You may want to hear from us.
Find out about our progress toward an agreement that will be acceptable to people who live and work in the Temagami region.
Representatives from Ontario, Canada and the Temagami Aboriginal community will be present to address questions regarding your interests or concerns about the settlement proposal.
Daki Menan office toll free in Ontario: 1-888-737-9884
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat toll free: 1-888-456-3430
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
PDF version available (80 K). Download Adobe Reader to view PDF files.
