Land claim settlement of $34.5 million celebrated

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The people of Fishing Lake First Nation gathered together Aug. 25 to celebrate settlement of a long outstanding land claim.

Under the settlement agreement, the First Nation will receive a financial compensation package of $34.5 million. The money is to cover damages and losses suffered by the community as a result of an alleged surrender of a large portion of its reserve land in 1907.

The First Nation challenged the validity of the 1907 surrender, and the claim was accepted for negotiation in 1996, based on new evidence that a majority of eligible voters was not present during the surrender meeting.

That meeting saw 13,190 acres-over 60 per cent of Fishing Lake's land base, and the best agricultural land on reserve-surrendered and put up for sale.

The First Nation can use the money from the settlement to purchase up to 13,190 acres of land, on a willing seller/willing buyer basis, which can then be converted into reserve land.

Fishing Lake First Nation has about 1,300 members, with about one-third of that membership living on reserve.

The final settlement was reached between Fishing Lake First Nation and the federal government in January, with membership ratifying the settlement in March.

"As First Nations people, we have always had a special relationship with the land. It's an integral part of our culture and identity," Fishing Lake Chief Allan Paquachan said during the celebrations.

"We are very pleased that our nation can now begin the process of restoring its land base. By addressing this historic injustice, we can now look toward the future for generations to come."