Territories and Treaties

Algonquins of Ontario Land Claim

Overview

The Algonquin Land Claim is one of the largest and complicated land claims in Ontario, which is still under negotiations among Canada, Ontario and the Algonquins of Ontario on the land of 36,000 sq² with 1.2 million population.

There are currently ten Algonquin communities in the Ottawa River watershed: the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Antoine, Bancroft, Bonnechere, Greater Golden Lake, Mattawa/North Bay, Ottawa, Shabot Obaadjiwan, Snimikobi and Whitney and Area.

Timeline

Mid 1980s
A land claim to Ontario and Canada submitted by the Algonquins
1991-1992
Ontario and Canada agree to negotiate with the Algonquins regarding the land claim
1994
Statement of Shared Objectives and Framework Agreement publicized
December 13, 2012
Preliminary Draft Agreement-in-Principle was released for public review
2013
Further revisions were negotiated
June 12, 2015
Proposed Agreement-in-Principle was announced including the revisions from 2013
February 29 - March 7, 2016
A vote on the proposed Agreement-in-Principle was held by the Algonquins of Ontario
March 2016
The result of the vote was announced
October 18, 2016
A non-binding Agreement-in-Principle was signed among the Algonquins of Ontario, Canada and Ontario
Present
Negotiations regarding a Final Agreement in process

Statement of Shared Objectives (1994)

We are committed to achieving a just and equitable settlement of the longstanding claim of the Algonquins of Golden Lake First Nation, and in doing so, we intend:

to avoid creating injustices for anyone in the settlement of the claim
to establish certainty and finality with respect to title, rights and interests in the land and natural resources with the intention of promoting stability within the area and increasing investor confidence
to identify and protect Algonquin rights
to protect the rights of private landowners, including their right of access to and use of their land
to enhance the economic opportunities of the Algonquins with the intention of also benefiting and promoting general economic and commercial opportunities in the area
to ensure Algonquin Park remains a park for the appropriate use and enjoyment of all peoples
to establish effective and appropriate methods and mechanisms for managing the lands and natural resources affected by the settlement, consistent with the principles of environmental sustainability
to consult with interested parties throughout the negotiations process and to keep the public informed on the progress of the negotiations

The original document can be seen here.

Agreement-in-Principle

The following are a few key articles from the Executive Summary of the Agreement-in-Principle, which provides the key elements of the Agreement-in-Principle (The Algonquins of Ontario, Ontario & Canada, 2016). It is available both in English and French. The Agreement-in-Principle is also accessible in both English and French.

Lands

The transfer of ownership of the Settlement Land parcels to Algonquin communities. The Settlement Lands are: 117,500 acres of Provincial Crown Land and more than 200 parcels ranging in size from a few acres to about 30,000 acres
Persons holding existing rights or legal interests would continue to have the right to access Settlement Lands where reasonably necessary to exercise or enjoy those existing rights or legal interests on Settlement Lands
Settlement Lands that are subject to a Sustainable Forest Licence would be transferred after the expiry of the Forest Management Plan that exists on the date of the Agreement-in-Principle. The Algonquins would be Consulted in certain circumstances regarding amendments to these Forest Management Plans. The Algonquins would negotiate transition plans with Ontario, Sustainable Forest Licence holders and others that would ensure their continued access to Forest Resources on Settlement Lands during a negotiated transition period after their transfer

Forestry

Ontario and the Algonquins agree to work cooperatively to maintain support for the existing Forest Industry, and increase Algonquin participation in, and benefits from the Forest Industry. Between the Agreement-in-Principle and the Final Agreement, Ontario would continue to work with the Algonquins in relation to the development of economic opportunities in the forest industry

Harvesting

Harvesting rights are communal rights and the Algonquins would have the legal authority to allocate, monitor and manage Harvesting by Algonquin Beneficiaries
After a Total Allowable Harvest is established, an Algonquin Allocation would be determined taking into account the Algonquins’ right to Harvest and other criteria set out in the Harvesting Chapter of a Final Agreement. The Algonquins would follow an Algonquin Harvest Plan developed with Ontario when Harvesting an Allocated Wildlife Species
Ensure Algonquins have the legal authority to participate in Algonquin Wildlife Harvest Plans and fisheries management plans in collaboration with Ontario

Parks

Canada would consult with the Algonquins before establishing any National Park, National Marine Conservation Area, Migratory Bird Sanctuary or National Wildlife Area within the Settlement Area. The Algonquins and Canada would negotiate Algonquin participation in planning and management and the exercise of Algonquin Harvesting rights in that Park or Area

Heritage and Culture

Canada, Ontario and Algonquin Institutions will share Algonquin Heritage Resources
The return of Algonquin human remains and associated Artifacts if they are in the possession of the Canadian Museum of Civilization or the Royal Ontario Museum. The Canadian Museum of Civilization would make arrangements for the lending, transfer or sharing of Algonquin Artifacts to appropriate Algonquin Institutions

Educational Resource

Canada’s History Society is a national organization established in 1994 with several branches including: Canada’s History magazine, Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids, CanadasHistory.ca, and the Governor General’s History Awards. It is an excellent educational site to use as it provides several classroom resources, lesson plans, heritage fairs, etc. The following is a lesson plan provided by Canada’s History Society on the Land Claim Literacy and Algonquin Territory activity.

Additional Resources

Interested in the Algonquin Territory and Treaties? You may explore more on Canada's History's issue on Treaties and the Treaty Relationship, specifically written in p. 41-49. For lower grade levels, Kayak's issue on We Are All Treaty People is another educational resource to take a look. If you are really enjoying this topic and activity, you may also suggest some other activities to your teachers through Educator's Guide.

Report abuse