The Land Transfer Advisory Committee met with the Negotiation team from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs (MAA) by teleconference on May 13. At this meeting, Dan Goodwin provided an update to the committee regarding a request by the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) for a moratorium on the land transfer. Michipicoten First Nation brought forward some issues of concern to the Union of Ontario Indians. As a result, the Union sent a letter to MNR expressing concerns regarding the land transfer area. The letter was forwarded to the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs for resolution. The issues were lack of proper consultation by Ontario, the fact that the land being transferred is in the Robinson-Superior treaty area, and the potential impacts on hunting and fishing rights, and resource sharing agreements.

MCFN has forwarded a letter to Michipicoten First Nation, copied to the Union of Ontario Indians, stating that the land being transferred is within the traditional territory that our ancestors have always used and occupied, even before the treaties were signed A brief history of our land use, the case law for overlapping territories, and an invitation to a meeting were also included in the letter.

The Assistant to the Deputy Minister (ADM) Doug Carr will be meeting with the Chief Beaucage, Union of Ontario Indians, and Chief Buckell of the Michipicoten First Nation to resolve these issues. Chief Nolan has been in contact with some of the Chiefs of the Union of Ontario Indians who agree that this is an issue that should be resolved through discussion between First Nations, and is properly an issue of governance.

Accordingly, there will be a delay in the release of the supplementary consultation letter to the stakeholders, as well as the notice to be posted in the Environmental Registry. MCFN Chief and Council, as well as the LTAC, will be working diligently to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. LTAC will continue to proceed as far as is possible, with the work necessary to complete the land transfer.

Community Ratification Vote

There will be a change in the voting procedure because of the delay in the supplementary consultation to accommodate the resolution of this issue with the Robinson Superior chiefs, and to keep the land transfer process on track. The vote on the land transfer will now take place through a mail-in ballot, rather than a vote at the Annual Gathering.

The drafting of the agreement is in its final stages, and the information packages will be completed and mailed to eligible voters. These detailed information packages will contain information on the history of MCFN’s efforts to secure a land base, challenges that we have overcome, and other issues relating to the transfer. Maps, the referendum process, and a section on frequently asked questions will also be included.

An updated membership list is essential, and all MCFN band members are encouraged to update their contact information with Ted Ouellet.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of LTAC. with the negotiators from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs (MAA), will be on June 25, 2008. At that time, an update will be provided on the status of the supplementary consultations and the ratification process for the land transfer agreement.

A final report on the consultations will be forthcoming, once the supplementary consultations are completed. A joint newsletter will be sent out after the decision notice is posted which will contain an update on the public consultations, a Q. and A. section, and updated maps.

LTAC/OMAA Meeting

The Land Transfer Advisory Committee (LTAC) met with representatives from the Ontario Ministry for Aboriginal Affairs (MAA) on January 9. The purpose of the meeting was to review the process and timelines regarding the supplementary consultations for the new boundaries for the 15 square miles. The Ontario negotiators will send letters to the various stakeholders, and area First Nations regarding the changes. The letters will also include detailed maps and an update on the land transfer.

Once the boundaries are finalized, there will be an environmental assessment done on the land. A joint newsletter will be sent out after the decision notice is posted. The joint newsletter will contain an update on the public consultations, a Q. and A. section, and updated maps.

To date, no response has been received regarding letters to the Chiefs and Councils of area First Nations outlining a proposal to work collectively in a pilot project with the Ministry of Mines and Northern Development, for the protection of Manitou Mountain as a cultural/heritage site.

The members of the Land Transfer Advisory Committee (LTAC) met in caucus on November 13 in preparation for the meeting with the Ontario negotiators. The committee reviewed the agenda and minutes from the previous meetings. Changes to the boundaries of the 15 square miles were discussed, as well as the land inspection being undertaken to survey the new boundaries, collect soil samples, and note some of the topography. A membership application for a youth representative was posted in the BEAR FAX newsletter, and on the MCFN website.

LTAC/MAA Meeting

The Land Transfer Advisory Committee (LTAC) met with representatives from the Ontario Ministry for Aboriginal Affairs (OMAA) on November 14. The purpose of the meeting was to review the amended proposal for the 15 square miles, mapping, and resource analysis. The changes to the boundaries will necessitate a supplementary consultation. The Ontario negotiators will send letters to the various stakeholders. The letters will also include maps and an update on the land transfer.

There was also some discussion on encumbrances to the 15 square miles dealing with access issues by nearby property owners. Relocation of a campsite, and a new snowmobile trail were some of the options discussed. Linda McWilliams, Negotiator for INAC, provided an update on the ATR process.

Once the boundaries are finalized, there will be an environmental assessment done on the land. A joint newsletter will be sent out after the decision notice is posted. The joint newsletter will contain an update on the public consultations, a Q. and A. section, and updated maps.

There was also discussion on options for the protection of Manitou Mountain as a cultural/heritage site. A letter to the Chiefs and Councils of area First Nations has been sent outlining a proposal to work collectively and participate in a pilot project with the Ministry of Mines and Northern Development.

The members of the Land Transfer Advisory Committee (LTAC) met on October 1 in preparation for the meeting with the Ontario negotiators. The committee reviewed the membership of LTAC, discussed the ATR (Additions to Reserve) process, the status of the Ontario-MCFN litigation, and the feedback from the public consultations held in June. A membership application for a youth representative will be drafted and posted in the BEAR FAX newsletter.

LTAC/OMAA Meeting

The Land Transfer Advisory Committee (LTAC) met with representatives from the Ontario Ministry for Aboriginal Affairs (OMAA) on October 2. The purpose of the meeting was to begin discussions to finalize the boundaries of the 15 square miles of the land. The Government of Ontario has committed to transfer 15 square miles of Crown land to the Missanabie Cree First Nation. There was also some discussion concerning the feedback received by the Ontario negotiators. Most concerns related to issues of access for use by the public as well as private property owners. The report on the environmental process and outcomes has yet to be completed. The joint newsletter will contain an update on the public consultations, a Q. and A. section, and possibly a youth perspective. There was also discussion on options for the protection of Manitou Mountain as a cultural/heritage site. Laura Melvin has proposed a meeting with Chief and Council to discuss involvement in the Crown Land Use Atlas Harmonization project. Linda McWilliams, Negotiator for INAC, provided an update on the ATR process.

1660s Father Allouez confirmed that Cree people regularly traveled between Lake Superior and James Bay. (reported by C. Bishop – The First Century: Adaptive Changes Among the Western James Bay Cree)

1730s Cree speaking people with summer encampments at Bawating (Sault Ste. Marie) gather to fish, trade and do ceremonies. (Historians A. Greenberg and J. Morrison)

1904 Indian Affairs recognizes Missanabie Cree as an Indian band to be ‘treated with’ by Treaty Commissioners for the purpose of adhesions to Treaty Nine scheduled for 1905.

1905 Canada and Ontario enter into Treaty 9 with various Cree and Ojibwa groups to obtain surrender of 130,000 square miles or 83.2 M acres of land.

1906 Crown does not sign formal adhesions to Treaty 9 with the Missanabie Cree First Nation. The Crown does not set apart any reserve for 98 members of the First Nation living at Missanabie.

1915 Missanabie Cree’s request for land is turned down by DIAND (Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development).

1925 Creation of Chapleau Crown Preserve abrogates Missanabie Cree’s treaty rights to hunt and fish for subsistence living.

1929 Missanabie Cree’s request for land is turned down by DIAND.

1951 Missanabie Cree are formally recognized by DIAND as an Indian band.

1992 Under Indian Act, the first Chief and Council are elected by the Missanabie Cree First Nation.

1993 Missanabie Cree First Nation submits specific claim for outstanding Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE).

1996 Missanabie Cree First Nation receives letter from Canada accepting the claim, with the condition that Ontario, also a signatory to Treaty 9, be at the table. Ontario begins legal review of claim.

1998 Missanabie Cree and Canada begin preliminary meetings in April.

1999 Jointly funded studies begin. These include genealogical, traditional use, site selections, and loss of use. Legal review by Ontario is completed in June. Letter from Canada states that negotiations can begin, if Ontario comes to the table.

2000 Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat sends letter indicating Ontario would be presenting its position.

2001 Preliminary discussions of the negotiation process begin between First Nation and both levels of government. Development of work plan and negotiation framework continues.

2006 Ontario agrees to a land transfer of 15 square miles with conditions attached. Transferred land is to be credited towards the eventual settlement of the land claim (to be determined through legal action). Land area is selected. Discussions with Canada continue over Additions to Reserve process, and loss of use compensation.