Wabigoon Negotiations

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation
Flooding Claim Fact Sheet

The Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation claim relates to the flooding of its shoreline reserve lands. The First Nation asserts that the flooding occurred without authorization or consent and that it was not fully compensated for the flooding of these lands. A Government-of-Ontario-approved water control structure, built in 1897 for navigation purposes and reconstructed in 1912 for hydroelectric generation, caused lake levels to rise and flood the shoreline of the Reserve.

Flooding of Reserve

A navigation dam constructed by Ontario in 1897 at Dryden caused the water level of Wabigoon Lake to rise and flood part of the lands that had been surveyed as reserve land for the use and benefit of the First Nation. In 1912, this dam was replaced by a hydroelectric dam that was built and operated by the Dryden Timber Company. The second dam caused the water levels on Wabigoon Lake to rise again.

Island Ownership

In 1922, a Crown surveyor reported that "many new islands" were created as a result of the flooding, including islands that once formed part of the mainland of the reserve.

A dispute subsequently arose between Canada and Ontario with respect to the ownership of these islands but the parties have now agreed they form part of the reserve.

Compensation

An assessment of the flooding damages estimates that the First Nation has lost 2,318 acres. Canada collected some financial compensation from the Dryden Paper Company for the First Nation in 1929 but no additional compensation was recovered. The First Nation maintains that the compensation it received in 1929 was inadequate. It is now seeking a fair and final redress for all losses caused by the flooding.

Negotiations

Negotiations on the claim between the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Canada and Ontario began in 2004. At present, the parties are in the early stages of negotiation. They are committed to working co-operatively to resolve this claim through a negotiated agreement. In addition to resolving a longstanding grievance, a future settlement would bring closure to the claim and promote a positive environment for economic development on First Nation lands and in surrounding communities.

Canada and Ontario are committed to working with First Nations to resolve land claims. Private property will not be expropriated and access to private property will be assured.

Local interests and the concerns of directly affected parties are taken into account during the negotiation process.

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