Wahta Mohawks claim settled

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The Wahta Mohawk First Nations land claim dating back to 1918 has finally been officially resolved. Chief Blaine Commandant of the Wahta Mohawks, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Andy Scott and the Ontario Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, Michael Bryant, announced the settlement Feb. 7.

"I'm pleased it's over. I mean it's been a long process for the community and the councils that have been involved with it," said Commandant.

"It's been a long tough issue within the community, and working through the negotiation process is onerous and polarizes people and obviously there's two sides to these things. And I think that with a majority in agreement within the community that we put it behind us and I'm glad to see that."

In the late 1800s, the Wahta Mohawks moved to Ontario from Oka, Que. because of a land dispute with the Seminary of St. Sulpice. In 1881, the Canadian government agreed to purchase 26,000 acres of land for the First Nation in the Muskoka district, but in 1918 returned 11,000 acres of it to Ontario to settle a disagreement between the two levels of government. This was done without consent of the Wahta Mohawks. Negotiations to compensate the First Nation for this loss of land did not begin until 1993.

A local advisory board provided a forum for the negotiation process. The First Nation ratified the settlement with a vote on Oct. 25, 2003.

The settlement totals about $9.7 million plus 8,300 acres of provincial Crown land located next to the existing Wahta Mohawk Territory. That land will now become part of the Gibson reserve. Ontario is contributing the land and $3.45 million to the settlement, with the federal government contributing $6.24 million.

"In addition to righting a past wrong, this settlement has helped to strengthen existing relationships between the parties and will open up new economic opportunities that will enhance the Wahta Mohawk community and local economies," said Scott.

"Resolving land claims in a timely fashion is a priority for this government. The quality of life of all Ontarians improves when we have strong and prosperous Aboriginal communities," said Bryant.

The lands returned to the First Nation are vacant provincial Crown lands. Some of the lands under claim by the First Nation could not be returned because they had been sold by the province, so the band accepted financial compensation instead.

Commandant said the band has no particular plans for the land, but members are glad the land has been repatriated to their territory.

"Well, the land is the land and as First Nations we just have a significant appreciation for that," he said.