Feds Settle Record Number Of Land Claims

Feds Settle Record Number Of Land Claims

Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 12:55

 

 

The Gordon and Pasqua bands are among the First Nations the government of Canada says it reached agreements with on specific claims last year.

 

According to Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, 118 specific claims were settled in 2008-2009.

 

That’s a new record for a fiscal year.

 

In a press release, Strahl says the doubles the results achieved in 2007-2008, when just 54 claims were settled.

 

According to the report, the Gordon First Nation reached a settlement of $24-million on Aug. 11.

 

No details are available for the Paqua settlement other than it involves treaty land.

 

A settlement was also reached in Sept. 2008 by the Cote, Key and Keeseekoose First Nations worth $78-million.

 

Strahl says these results show the government’s new legislation on land claims is having the desired effect.