Page 61 - Georgina Island

In 1999, our First Nation received a settlement of the Collins
Treaty, which claimed that compensation was never received
for land surrendered to the Crown between Lake Simcoe and
Matchedash Bay for a right of way. No documents were found
to support this government claim. After a long, involved court
case (over 15 years!), a settlement was finally reached in favour
of our First Nation. We were awarded compensation for the
lands unlawfully taken from us in the Collins Treaty.

In December 2012, we settled the Coldwater–Narrows Specific
Land Claim for funds and the ability to purchase lands that could
be made into additional reserve land. The Coldwater–Narrows
claim stemmed from events that took place over 170 years ago
in relation to land known as the Coldwater–Narrows reserve.
The reserve was 4319 hectares in size, along an old portage route
between present-day Orillia and Matchedash Bay on Lake Huron
in Ontario. It also included a mill at Port Severn. The Coldwater–
Narrows claim stated that the 1836 surrender of the reserve was
illegal because it was conducted improperly. The land was then
sold too quickly and below its value.

The Alderville litigation was filed by the seven Williams Treaties
First Nations in 1992 and went to trial in 2012. The Alderville
litigation deals with a longstanding dispute about the making,
terms, interpretation, and implementation of the 1923 Williams
Treaties. Terms of the negotiated settlement include:
• Financial compensation of $1.11 billion ($666 million by
Canada and $444 million by Ontario).

• An entitlement for each First Nation to add up to 11,000
acres of land to their reserve land base, subject to Canada’s
Additions to Reserve/Reserve Creation policy. The First
Nations are responsible for acquiring these lands.

• Recognition of the First Nations’ continuing treaty harvesting
rights, and a commitment to continue to work together to
implement these rights.
• A commitment by Canada and Ontario to provide an oral
and written statement of apology to the Williams Treaties
First Nations.

Georgina Island First Nation 59

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