Questions and Answers

Q: Where is the Assabaska Shoreline Reserve?
A: The Shoreline Reserve (known as 35E1) consists of 1600 acres south of Big Grassy Reserve 35G and extends into the Lake of the Woods Provincial Park. Two-thirds of the land is subject to private patents while one-third is within the Park.

Q: If I own land in the area, how will the proposed settlement affect me?
A: The proposed settlement will resolve any uncertainty that currently exists with respect to homeowners within the Assabaska Shoreline Reserve. Lands will not be expropriated under the settlement.
The settlement proposal involves a transfer of the mainland portion of Lake of the Woods Provincial Park.

Q: What does deregulation of the Lake of the Woods Provincial Park mean?
A: Subject to public consultation, the negotiators are recommending the deregulation of the mainland portion of the Park, which will be transferred to Canada to be held in trust for the First Nations as an Indian reserve. Please take a look at the map to see the proposed boundaries.
The islands within the Park will not be deregulated and will continue to operate as a Provincial Park.

Q: What park services will continue to be available?
A: Park status will be unchanged on the islands within the Park. On the mainland portion of the Park, the First Nations will continue park services for the public, as long as it is economically viable to do so. The First nations have commissioned a business plan for this purpose.

Q: Why is the public being consulted?
A: All parties have agreed to discuss the future of the Park with the public. The goal of these consultations is to discuss with the public the history of the lands and to obtain your input regarding the land component of the settlement. Ultimately, we hope to gain your understanding of and support for the proposed settlement, which the negotiators believe offers a fair resolution of the issues for all affected.
Comments on the proposed deregulation of the part of the Park in the context of these consultations are encouraged.

Q: Why is the Assabaska Shoreline Reserve still an issue?
A: In 1873, the Anishinaabe Nation signed a treaty with the Crown, which came to be known as Treaty No. 3. As required in the treaty, certain lands were to be set aside as Indian Reserve. The First Nations’ action indicates that the Assabaska Shoreline Reserve was set aside in 1880, but the Crown began to patent the land in 1930 without consulting the First Nations or obtaining a surrender under the Indian Act.
Canada believes that it and Ontario have an outstanding lawful obligation to resolve this issue and Ontario believes that the issue merits negotiation and settlement.
There were a number of factors which historically prevented First Nations from pursuing their rights. For example, in 1927 the Parliament of Canada passed a law which made it very difficult for Anishinaabe peoples to hire lawyers in order to make any legal claims against the government. This law was only repealed in 1951.
Anishinaabe people did not have the right to vote in Ontario Provincial elections until 1954 and in federal elections until 1960. It was only in 1973, after a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, that the federal government established a process to resolve First Nations land claims. This action was brought by the Assabaska First Nations in 1977.

Q: How will deregulation affect the natural, cultural and recreational values which the Park protects?
A: The natural heritage values on Splitrock, Painted Rock, Dawson and Bigby Islands will continue to be protected, as those islands remain regulated under the Provincial Parks Act. Flora and fauna of three different vegetative regions live here, making the islands unique.
The cultural values will be protected by the Assabaska people. Features include rock paintings and Annishinaabe sacred sites.
The recreational opportunities which currently exist in the mainland portion of the Lake of the Woods Provincial Park will continue, provided they are economically viable. These include overnight camping, day-use and public access to the lake through the park.