MITAANJIGAMIING FIRST NATION - Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, located approximately 70 km north of the Town of Fort Frances, has a population of 140, with 100 members living on the reserve.
Since the construction of the dam across the Rainy River at Fort Frances-International Falls in the early 1900s, the dam has caused ongoing flooding damage on Mitaanjigamiing First Nation land.
In 1994, the people of Mitaanjigamiing filed a flooding claim with the provincial and federal government, but the claim wasn’t accepted for negotiation by the government of Ontario until 2003, and then by Canada until 2009.
Today, Ontario and Canada are now stepping up to honour their legal obligation to the First Nations community by reaching a settlement agreement of $85.45 million. Canada will pay $45.05 million, while Ontario will pay the other portions of $39.4 million.
"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,” said Chief Janice Henderson Mitaanjigamiing First Nation. “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’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford off his supports the Ontario government side of the commitment.
"This settlement with Mitaanjigamiing First Nation is the result of respectful and meaningful negotiation,” said Rickford. “It demonstrates Ontario's commitment to rectifying historical wrongs and moving forward together on the path of reconciliation."
Marcus Powlowski, MP for Thunder Bay—Rainy River said, "I am pleased to see the Government of Canada and Mitaanjigamiing First Nation come together and finalize this land claim settlement. This is an important step that will help strengthen Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations in Northwestern Ontario. I look forward to attending the Flood Claim Settlement Ceremony at the end of August."
According to the Ministry of Indigenous Relations, 56 claims were filed with the Minister in 2021 and 2022. 51 land claims and other agreements have been reached in Ontario since march of 2022.
Thirteen Treaty Three First Nations living in the Lake of the Woods, Shaol Lake, and Winnipeg River area have a total of 45 separate reserves issued claims with Ontario and Canada due to flooding on their lands. Ontario accepted 11 of these claims in 2007, while the federal government accepted this calm in 2009.
Although the Rainy River First Nations flooding claim has been settled, 12 First Nations involved in the claims are in various stages of negotiation.
The remaining 12 First Nations involved in the claims are:
- Animakee Wa Zhing #37 (Northwest Angle #37)
- Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing (Big Island)
- Big Grassy River (Mishkosiminiziibiing)
- Buffalo Point
- Iskatewizaagegan #39 (Shoal Lake #39)
- Naotkamegwanning (Whitefish Bay)
- Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation (The Dalles 38C)
- NorthWest Angle #33
- Ojibways of Onigaming
- Shoal Lake #40
- Washagamis Bay (Obashkaandagaang)
- Wauzhushk Onigum Nation (Rat Portage)
These are only the claims that have been as a result of flood damage. The Ontario and Canadian governments still have an overwhelming amount of settlement negotiations with Northern First Nations communities. The majority of the claim are Treaty Land entitlements.
There is no official word on when these claims will be addressed.
