Fact Sheet: Information on the Algonquin Land Claim

The Claim

The Algonquins of Ontario are asserting that they have Aboriginal rights and title that have never been extinguished, and that they have continuing ownership to the Ottawa River watershed in Ontario and its natural resources.

The Negotiations

Ontario believes that the best way to resolve this claim is to work together to find common solutions through a productive negotiation process.

Representatives of the Algonquins, Ontario and Canada are attempting to reach an Agreement-In-Principle setting out the proposed elements of a settlement of this claim.

Our goal as your Ontario representatives is to reach a settlement that recognizes the many interests of all people who live in, work in, and enjoy this part of Ontario.

The Elements of a Settlement

The settlement of this claim is expected to include parcels of land, a financial package and social and economic development opportunities for the Algonquins, as well as appropriate arrangements respecting harvesting rights including hunting and fishing.

The goal is to achieve certainty regarding rights and interests relating to the land and natural resources within the Ottawa Valley.

Accomplishments To Date

These negotiations have been ongoing for some time. The three parties have agreed to some basic principles, including:

The protection of private property. The rights of private land owners to make use of and access their land will be protected. Privately-owned land will not be expropriated for the settlement of this land claim.
The preservation of Algonquin Park. It has been agreed that Algonquin Park will remain a park for the appropriate use and enjoyment of all peoples.
The management of natural resources on a sustainable basis.

A full list of the Statement of Shared Objectives signed by the three negotiating parties is available on the Ontario website.

Your Involvement

We welcome questions and input. Please contact the Ontario Information Centre, Algonquin Land Claim, 31 Riverside Drive, Pembroke, Ontario K8A 8R6.

Phone 613-732-8081 or e-mail Shelly.Dumouchel@Ontario.ca

Ontario’s Approach

Ontario has taken an inclusive approach to these negotiations in order to help us understand the full range of interests that may be affected by a settlement of the claim. The Ontario advisory committees established to provide input as the negotiations proceed include:

The Municipal Advisory Committee with 14 representatives from county, district and local municipalities throughout the claim territory.
The Committee of External Advisors with 32 members from a broad base of stakeholder groups representing various economic, resource and recreational interests.

The co-chairs of these two committees are at the negotiating table as active members of the Ontario negotiating team. Ontario’s Chief Negotiator is Brian Crane, an Ottawa-based lawyer who specializes in Aboriginal law.

Ontario’s participation in these negotiations comes under the mandate of the Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs.

The Land Claim Territory

Although the precise boundaries of the claim are still subject to negotiation, this map represents the approximate general area of the Algonquin land claim. The territory covers 36,000 square kilometres (14,000 square miles), which represents the Ottawa River watershed and the southeast portion of the Mattawa River watershed within Ontario.

Click map for larger version, or read text description of land claim area.

Note: The map is illustrative only. Do not rely on it as being a precise indicator of routes, locations of features nor as a guide to navigation.