Deal of the century
Woodstock First Nation compensated for land claims dating back almost 100 years
After nearly 25 years of negotiations, the Woodstock First Nation finally received financial compensation for lands lost over the past century.
On Tuesday afternoon, Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Chuck Strahl and Woodstock First Nations Chief Jeff Tomah signed a long-standing land claim agreement which delivers $2.5 million to members of the Woodstock band.
Many community leaders and government officials attended the formal signing at the Woodstock First Nation council building.
The settlement resolves many of the community's grievances surrounding the expropriation of nearly 10 acres of land over the past century. The land claim included 5.5 acres of unsurrendered land taken from the Woodstock First Nation in 1910; the removal of land without compensation for the railroad in 1915 and the loss of 2.5 acres due to flooding after the construction of the Mactaquac Dam in 1966.
In signing the agreement, Minister Strahl said, the federal government will compensate the First Nation community with $2.5 million, including negotiation and ratification costs.
In addition, he added, the Woodstock First Nation has the option to purchase up to 10 acres of replacement land to add to the community under the federal Additions to Reserves Policy.
Rick Hatchette, who negotiated on behalf of the First Nations, explained this replacement land is limited to specified areas in Maliseet territory – including Woodstock, Saint John and Grand Manan – and can only be purchased on a willing-seller/willing-buyer basis.
Should the Woodstock First Nation purchase replacement land, he added, it has to apply to have it added to the community within 10 years.
Strahl said the long-awaited claim settlement will certainly be beneficial to the people of the Woodstock First Nation.
"This is a good day in New Brunswick," said Strahl. "The benefits of resolving this claim will enable the Woodstock First Nation to seek new economic development projects that will benefit not only its members but the surrounding communities as well," said Strahl. "When we work together, we can get things done."
Hatchette described the signing ceremony "a momentous event."
Chief Tomah, while happy to see the agreement signed, noted it had been a long time coming.
"This claim was validated in 1984," the chief noted. "Since then we have three or four chiefs in our community working on this. It has been a long process, (but) this will put to bed this part of the claim."
Tomah explained the Woodstock First Nation council decided to divide $1 million of the settlement money between the 813 Woodstock First Nation band members. Each person will receive a cheque of just over $1,200. For children under 19, he said, their portion would be held in a trust fund until they turn of age.
The chief noted the settlement's benefits will reach beyond Woodstock First Nation, noting band members are strong supporters of Woodstock area businesses.
Tomah said the remaining $1.5 will sponsor economic development projects for the community.
"Key to this specific claim was the opportunity to pursue economic development opportunities that will provide long-term benefits to our community," said Tomah. "Compensation and commitment that lands chosen by us will be added to our community will allow this to happen."
Tomah did not elaborate on what kind of economic development projects are planned for the community, but he did say he was meeting with the Woodstock First Nation Council to discuss possible areas for investment.
The Woodstock claim is the fourth to be settled in New Brunswick in the last year – "an unprecedented achievement in the Atlantic region," said Strahl.
He used the long process to settle negotiations with Woodstock First Nation as an example of why he's pushing legislation that will create a new tribunal to settle similar claims.
"What happened on this Woodstock case which was 25 years of negotiation," said Strahl. "It's just too long. It causes bitterness and is held out as an example of what's wrong with government.
"And it is what's wrong with government – it simply takes too long."
Under the Specific Claims Tribunal Act, First Nations could opt to send a claim to a panel of judges whose decision will be final, and who will have funding set aside to make compensation payments.
"By having that tribunal in place, it gives negotiators a sense of urgency," said Strahl.
After Tuesday's ceremony in Woodstock, the minister headed to Madawaska on Wednesday to sign another land claim agreement.
Others in New Brunswick are "imminent," he added.
"There are still others that are a few years away," he said. Strahl said he's consistently hearing from chiefs that First Nations communities want to pursue economic development.
"They make it part of every meeting I have with them across the country," said Strahl.
"I heard that from several different chiefs today and I heard it from the chief and council in Woodstock today. I'm sure I'll hear it in Madawaska tomorrow.
"Economic development – being able to develop your own sources of revenue – is a sign of a reserve that wants to make it on its own."
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