Big Grassy and Ojibways of Onigaming First Nations, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and the Government of Ontario
Today, Chief Lynn Indian of Big Grassy First Nation; Chief Jeff Copenace of Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation; the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; and the Honourable Greg Rickford, Ontario's Minister of Indigenous Affairs, announced that the Big Grassy and Ojibways of Onigaming First Nations, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Ontario have concluded tripartite negotiations and reached a settlement agreement for the First Nations' flooding claims.
The First Nations' submitted claims were filed in response to Canada and Ontario alleging unauthorized construction and operation of the Rollerway and Norman dams, and consequent changes in water levels on Lake of the Woods, resulting in flooding of portions of the Assabaska Band's reserve land from 1887 to today without authorization or payment of compensation.
The First Nations ratified the settlement agreement in separate votes, and the Chiefs and Councils from Big Grassy and Onigaming First Nations signed the settlement in December 2022. Ontario's Minister of Indigenous Affairs executed the settlement agreement in January 2023, and Canada's Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations executed the settlement agreement in March 2023.
Under this settlement, the Big Grassy and Ojibways of Onigaming First Nations will receive total compensation of $157 million. Of that amount, Canada will provide $119 million, and Ontario will provide the remaining $38 million. As part of this agreement, Big Grassy First Nation and Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation each have the option to acquire up to 1,932 acres to add to their respective reserve lands. Land will be acquired on a willing buyer/willing seller basis and may create new opportunities for community economic development, which would benefit the First Nations and the regional economy for generations to come.
