By Samantha Craggs
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Belleville Intelligencer
Stephen Harper’s plan to expedite land claims appears to be good news, although as always, the devil will be in the details, says the chief of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
The Prime Minister’s announcement this week — made two weeks before a national day of action in First Nations communities — is progress toward settling Canada’s some 800 outstanding land claims, said Chief R. Donald Maracle in an interview Wednesday from the All Ontario Chiefs Conference in Sioux Lookout.
“Until we see what the legislation and policy is, we can’t make any further comment on it, but it does look like a good step,” Maracle said.
Legislation surrounding Harper’s announcement has yet to be drafted. However, in a media conference Tuesday, he pledged to “revolutionize” the labourious land claims process by committing $250 million over 10 years for specific land claims research and compensation. He also pledged to create a new tribunal staffed with impartial judges who would make binding rulings on claims when negotiations fail. The existing Indian Specific Claims Commission, which currently serves as a mediator with no legally-binding powers, will refocus to concentrate on dispute resolution.
Maracle said he is pleased the aboriginal community will be involved in writing the legislation. But how much input particular regions have will be important, he said. British Columbia, which Maracle has heard will have a lead role in writing the legislation, does not have treaties, while Ontario First Nations do, which means Ontario should have equal input, he said.
It will also be important how the judges will be appointed, he said.
“Reform is long overdue,” he said. “But I don’t know if the title ‘justice at last’ is appropriate.”
The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte is currently in specific claim negotiations for a 923.5-acre tract of land that includes part of Tyendinaga Township and more than half of the town of Deseronto.
Harper’s announcement has been painted as a bid to ease tensions leading up to the national day of action June 29. But for local Mohawk protesters, it changes nothing, said Shawn Brant, a spokesman for a group that has inhabited a Deseronto-area quarry since March and blocked a CN Rail line in April.
There will still be a local protest, Brant said.