A First Nation based in the Upsala area has settled a longstanding flooding claim with the federal and Ontario governments.
Members of the Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation will receive $77 million to resolve a flooding dispute between the parties that's been outstanding for nearly 150 years.
The agreement announced on Tuesday also provides for a flooding easement, but details of that part of the agreement were not provided with the announcement..
Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation is a signatory to Treaty # 3.
Its claim dates back to 1873, when a dam was built at the outlet of the lake, resulting in the flooding of reserve lands without the community's consent and without compensation.
A joint news release quotes the community's leader, Chief Whitecloud, as saying the settlement "is not only about bringing closure and healing," "it is also about new beginnings and opportunities to mutually work together with Canada and Ontario as respected partners."
Ontario's minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation, David Zimmer, said Lac des Mille Lacs members can return to live on their historic reserve lands, creating new opportunities for residents.
