A settlement has been reached in a Treaty 3 flooding claim.
Mitaanjigmamiing First Nation has been awarded $84.45 million dollars in compensation, with Canada paying $45.05 million and Ontario paying $39.4 million.
The community is located about 70 kilometres north of Fort Frances with a population of 140, with 100 living on reserve.
The claim was filed in response to the unauthorized and uncompensated flooding of reserve land due to the building of a dam across the Rainy River at Fort Frances-International Falls in the early 1900s.
Provincial officials say the dam has continued to cause ongoing flooding on reserve land.
Chief Janice Henderson says, “After many years of negotiations, I am very pleased to state that a former long outstanding Chief, the late Allan Henderson Sr.’s vision was to file these claims for our future generations. This Flood Claim, along with the settlement of our treaty land entitlement claim in 2018 and the Loss of Use Claim in 1990 will provide prosperity for our children and youth today and for our future generations. Acknowledgements also need to be made to Canada and Ontario who worked with our Negotiating Team and past Councils in the successful resolution of this claim.”
Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford says, “This settlement with Mitaanjigmamiing First Nation is the result of respectful and meaningful negotiation. It demonstrates Ontario’s commitment to rectifying historical wrongs and moving forward together on the path of reconciliation.”
