Lac La Croix First Nation, Canada and Ontario settle the First Nation’s Treaty Land Entitlement claim

Lac La Croix First Nation, Ontario — Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Government of Ontario

Today, Chief Carrie Atatise-Norwegian of Lac La Croix First Nation; local Member of Parliament Marcus Powlowski, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations; and the Honourable Greg Rickford, Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs; announced that the Lac La Croix First Nation, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario have concluded tripartite negotiations and signed a settlement agreement in relation to the Lac La Croix First Nation’s Treaty Land Entitlement Claim. This settlement resolves a long-outstanding claim that the Nation did not receive all the lands owed to it under Treaty 3, which they signed in 1873.

Honouring Treaty and legal obligations to First Nations and working collaboratively to renew relationships are fundamental to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

For 150 years, the Lac La Croix First Nation was without the use and benefit of lands owed to them under Treaty 3. Under this historic settlement, the Government of Canada will provide $118.2 million, and the Government of Ontario will provide $13.1 million, for a total of $131.3 million in compensation to the First Nation.

The resolution of this Treaty Land Entitlement claim is the result of the dedicated efforts by the Nation’s leadership and negotiators since 2002, when the First Nation submitted the claim to Ontario and Canada. Ontario and Canada accepted the claim for negotiation in 2011. The First Nation ratified the settlement agreement in November 2022. Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs executed the settlement agreement in December 2022, and Canada’s Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations executed the settlement agreement in February 2023.

Treaty Land Entitlement settlement agreements demonstrate the federal and provincial governments’ commitment to advancing reconciliation—one that shows our commitment to build trust, acknowledges and respects the Treaty relationship, and helps build a better future for all Canadians.

Quotes

“The Settlement Agreement honours a treaty promise and is an opportunity to mitigate a historic wrong against the Lac La Croix First Nation. This transforms the lives of our citizens in all aspects, and we acknowledge all parties that have made this possible including but not limited to: our Elders, ancestors and Leadership (past and present), our citizens and members of our negotiating team who have worked diligently in their commitment to finalizing this historic claim. We overcame many significant challenges over decades of negotiations to achieve fair compensation for our Treaty Land Entitlement Claim. In the spirit of reconciliation, we have set a path forward that will collectively benefit our citizens for future generations. Lac La Croix First Nation looks forward to working collaboratively with both governments in continuing to honour our nation-to-nation relationship, as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the rivers flow.”

Chief Carrie Atatise-Norwegian
Lac La Croix First Nation

“For far too long, Canada has failed to live up to its obligations as a Treaty partner. Acknowledging and addressing this historic wrong is an important step toward a renewed relationship with the Lac La Croix First Nation. I would like to thank everyone that worked toward this historic settlement that will benefit your community for generations to come.”

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations

“The settling of the Treaty Land Entitlement claim is an important step forward in addressing historical wrongs and strengthening our nation-to-nation relationships. Honouring this Treaty will help build healthy communities and prosperous, thriving economies.”

The Honourable Marcus Powlowski
Member of Parliament

“This agreement with Lac La Croix First Nation and Canada is a clear example of our government’s commitment to resolving historic grievances and advancing reconciliation through fair, respectful, and meaningful settlements that will benefit Indigenous communities both now and in the future.”

The Honourable Greg Rickford
Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs

Quick Facts

  • Lac La Croix First Nation is located in the Rainy River District of Northwestern Ontario, along the Ontario–Minnesota border. It is approximately 320 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario. As of January 2023, the First Nation has a registered population of 489 people, of which their on-reserve population is 318.
  • The First Nation submitted the claim in March 2002, and Canada and Ontario accepted the Treaty Land Entitlement claim for negotiations in 2011.
  • The First Nation executed the settlement agreement in November 2022, the Government of Ontario executed the settlement agreement in December 2022, and the Government of Canada executed the settlement agreement in February 2023.
  • Canada has a longstanding policy and process in place to resolve these claims by negotiating settlements with First Nations. Since January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2023, 241 claims have been resolved for close to $7.5 billion in compensation.
  • Working in partnership with First Nations, Canada has resolved over 646 specific claims since 1973.
  • Ontario has been settling claims with Indigenous communities since 1983. To date, 63 land claims and other agreements have been reached. Learn more about land claims in Ontario.

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