In 1996, the three parties agreed that a fair and just settlement would include:
• A public statement of the historical facts, describing the wrongful taking of this land from the First Nations by the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario• The return of reserve land, and additional land, to become a joint reserve of the Assabaska First Nations. This will involve deregulation of the mainland portion of Lake of the Woods Provincial Park. (The islands identified by Ontario as parkland will remain Lake of the Woods Provincial Park.)
• Monetary compensation to the First Nations for six decades of lost use of their land, and the dire loss of self and community which accompanied this wrongful taking of our land.
• Confirmation of existing land patents on the shoreline reserve
• No property owners will lose access to their properties by virtue of the settlement agreement.
• In order to ensure the finality of any settlement, the First Nations’ ratification process included a referendum vote by their members.
• The First Nations agree that park services on the transferred lands, will continue to be offered, as long as these services are economically viable.
You can view a map of the proposed settlement area here.
"The shoreline is sacred to us -- the place of our religious ceremonies of the Mite'win and Anishnaabe SunDance. Our teachings were passed on through many ceremonies here, and thrtough sand paintings on the beaches. The flesh of our people is part of this land. Our people were buried here."
-- Tobasonakwut Kinew, Onigaming