Naicatchewenin First Nation, Treaty 3 Territory, Ontario - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs
The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario are working to renew the relationships between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples in Canada based on the affirmation of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.
Today, Wayne Smith, Chief of Naicatchewenin First Nation, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Honourable Greg Rickford, Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs, announced the successful settlement of a tripartite negotiation between the Naicatchewenin First Nation, the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, regarding the Naicatchewenin Flooding Claim. This settlement will provide Naicatchewenin First Nation with $21,815,877 in compensation, with Canada paying $11,807,068 and Ontario paying $10,008,809.
This settlement marks progress toward addressing historical wrongs and renewing the relationship with the Naicatchewenin First Nation.
The claim was filed in response to the construction of the Fort Frances-International Falls Dam across the Rainy River in 1905, which resulted in flooding of Naicatchewenin First Nation's reserve lands. The flooding continues to impact the reserve land today. Honouring Canada's legal obligations and properly compensating Naicatchewenin First Nation for unlawful conduct is a fundamental part of advancing reconciliation in Canada and rebuilding trust with Indigenous communities.
