The chief of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation has announced the approval of the Big Bear Creek land claim settlement.
The band will get $119 million from the federal government for loss of access to Big Bear Creek, Chief Joe Miskokomon announced Monday.
In a statement, Miskokomon added “An overwhelming majority of our people support moving toward a better future for our community, one that focuses on self-sufficiency, while ensuring children and seniors get the support they need.”
The members of the Nation held a ratification vote on Saturday for the specific land claim and the deal was approved by 92 per cent of voters.
The claim dates back nearly 200 years. Big Bear Creek was to be a reserve set aside for the Chippewas of the Thames exclusive use, according to terms of the Longwoods Treaty.
But the land near Florence, Ont. was accidentally sold by the government in the 1830s.
The deal also sets a number of precedents for future claims settlements;
- time limits on purchasing new reserve lands have been removed
- new reserve lands can be anywhere within traditional territory
- new reserve lands aren’t required to be next to an existing reserve
In addition to the money, the deal includes an education savings plan, a seniors’ income stabilization plan and a trust account to be replenished by band investments and businesses.
