Missanabie Cree First Nation - TLE Team & Benchmark Points

In 1993, the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation submitted a specific claim on behalf of the Missanabie Cree First Nation to the Department of Indian Affairs under Canada’s Specific Claims Policy alleging an outstanding Treaty Land Entitlement (“TLE”). This claim is based on the failure of the Crown to set apart reserve land for the Missanabie Cree First Nation in 1906 in accordance with the provisions of Treaty 9 entered into between the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and various Cree and Ojibway First Nations in the James Bay watershed in 1905 and 1906.

The Missanabie Cree First Nation (“the First Nation”) is a distinct group of the Mushkegowuk Cree whose traditional territory is centred in and around Missinaibi Lake, Dog Lake, and Wabatongushi Lake. The Missanabie Cree have used and occupied the lands and rich resources in this area since time immemorial to the present to hunt, fish and trap for food and ceremonial purposes and to provide for the cultural, spiritual and economic well-being of their people.

Under the terms of Treaty 9, the Crown promised to set apart reserves for each band based on one square mile of reserve land per family of five or 128 acres per person. As a result of the failure to set apart land for the First Nation based on its population of 101 members in 1906, the First Nation suffered substantial damages as a result of the Crown’s failure to set apart any reserve land for the Missanabie Cree from 1906 to the present.

On September 6, 1996, Canada formally accepted the TLE for negotiation under the Specific Claims Policy on the basis that it has an outstanding lawful obligation to provide reserve land to the First Nation in accordance with the terms of Treaty 9. By letter dated December 13, 2000, the Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat confirmed that Ontario has agreed to enter into preliminary negotiations with the First Nation and Canada to work toward a potential settlement of the TLE claim. To assist the First Nation providing up to date, the First Nation requires the development of a site specific web page for the membership to access the ongoing negotiation process and relevant information.