The Proposed Temagami Land Claim Settlement
By Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat
On December 18, 2002, representatives for the Temagami First Nation, the Teme-Augama Anishnabai and Ontario reached an agreement on the elements of the proposed land claim settlement.
Lands
Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal community have agreed to seek the creation of an Indian Reserve of 127 square miles (330 square kilometers) of land, located within the 149 square miles Q 8 5 square kilometers) of land set aside for settlement purposes by the Ministry of Natural Resources in 1996 (see Map 1). A total of three square miles (eight square kilometers) of land for traditional families to use will also be identified.
Ontario and the Temagami Aboriginal community have agreed that protection of the Temagami shoreline will be achieved by the creation of a Waterway Class Provincial Park, or by another appropriate provincial legislative mechanism, such as a Recreation Reserve. Shoreline protection will be in place for the mainland portion of Management Area 39 around Lake Temagami, excepting areas of high mineral potential, existing private lands and mining lands. Crown Land will remain subject to the Temagami Land Use Plan and private property will remain subject to municipal zoning.
The Temagami Aboriginal community recognizes that existing land use plans will form the basis of future and continuing uses of Indian Reserve lands adjacent to Cross Lake.
A new Aboriginal community site will be established near the village of Temagami in Strathcona Township or at Shiningwood Bay. The Strathcona site is on the south shore of the northeast arm of Lake Temagami (see Map 2).
The site will be chosen after further consultations with the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. The plan for the new community site would be developed in consultation with Ontario and the Municipality of Temagami, prior to the lands being transferred.
Limited shoreline development will also be permitted on Indian Reserve lands at Austin Bay and Friday's Point. The Aboriginal community will develop site plans compatible with municipal development standards before this land is developed.
Access permits, issued under section 28 of the Indian Act, will accommodate the continuation of a variety of existing uses such as utilities, roads, tourism activities, recreation and property access. across reserve land.
Financial Compensation
The parties have agreed that Ontario will pay $20 million in financial compensation to the Temagami Aboriginal community.
Economic Development
The parties have agreed to measures that are intended to promote economic development for the benefit of the Temagami Aboriginal community and other residents in the region. The final settlement provides the Temagami Aboriginal community with a mix of land and cash for economic development initiatives totaling approximately $4 million.
The land component consists of four government-owned lots on Lake Temagami islands, two on Rabbit Lake and one on Herridge Lake. The Aboriginal community will acquire Forestry Island on Lake Temagami, a serviced lot in the municipal industrial park, and two businesses on a
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