Settlement accepted

Fort William First Nation members voted in favour of the federal government’s recently offered settlement.

With just more than 400 of the 1,350 eligible members voting, 344 ballots cast were in favour of the $3.5 million settlement for a land claim dispute over the use of the north end of Loch Lomond. Chief Peter Collins said he’s pleased with the decision and that the 57 no votes are probably due to a lack of understanding from some of his members.

"I think the ones that were against don’t know the total issue and had not been participating in the community consultation process and don’t really understand the issues that we’re faced with here in Fort William." Said Collins.

Collins said the money will be paid out to members of Fort William First Nation, although the final amount members will receive hasn’t been finalized.

Although the federal government has a March 31 deadline to give the First Nation’s community the money, Collins said he doesn’t know when the money will actually arrive.

"You know the government like I know the government, they’ll do it at their speed we’ll just wait for them," Collins said. "Hopefully it gets here by March or early April."

After 15 years of negotiation, Collins said he’s happy with the settlement. Taking the government to court over land claims is usually a $10-million and 10-year battle that the community doesn’t have the resources to fight.

"Are we totally satisfied with what we got? Probably not, but at the end of the day we’ll use what we can to improve the community," Collins said.

About $2.3 million of the settlement will be paid to the City of Thunder Bay for outstanding taxes from the AbitibiBowater saw mill.

Collins said Fort William First Nations will continue to fight for a claim on that land, which Collins said the community has never given up.

"Our community has never given up the title of status on those lands. Not once has their ever been a resolution by our people ever," said Collins.