No land adversely affected in claim

Dear Editor,
This is to address the misunderstanding of the consensus on the settlement of our land claim reflected in Mr. Arvid Hendrikson’s recent letter to the editor. He was under the mistaken impression that the settlement of our claim would adversely affect District residents living on the 6 former Reserves. It is important that this error in understanding be publicly corrected.
After settlement of our claim:
The only land in the former Reserves that will become Reserve is the land we already own and hold, including, present lands comprising the Manitou Mounds and Historical Centre on the former Long Sault Reserves 12 & 13, and perhaps others.
* No land in the former Reserves is adversely affected by settlement; in fact, upon settlement all questions concerning the title of privately held land in the former Reserves will be cleared forever.
* Therefore, no person or family living on any of the former Reserves will in fact be adversely affected in any way by this settlement.
* The Rainy River First Nations will retain the right to purchase 2/3 of its land entitlement from willing buyers and sellers on the open market based upon fair market value.
* No private land is being expropriated or otherwise taken or affected in any adverse manner by this settlement.
District residents are our neighbours. If our land claim would have been litigated in the courts instead of negotiated for the last 10 years, private titles could have been affected during that period. It was our choice to avoid that unnecessary stress and conflict with our neighbours.
In addition, we undertook the most comprehensive public communications process in the history of claims in Ontario, including, new letters, media articles, meetings, & public open houses, one of which was held in the Town of Rainy River last year.
Please ensure that this letter correcting this fundamental misunderstanding is printed in your newspaper as soon as possible. If any member of the public has any questions, please call us at 482-2479 ext. 235. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Chief Al Hunter
Rainy River First Nations