EAGLE VILLAGE FIRST NATION KIPAWA (MIGIZY ODENAW)
P.O. BOX 756 TEMISCAMING (QUEBEC)
J0Z 3R0 TEL: (819) 627-3455 [email protected] FAX: (819)
627-9428
PRESS RELEASE
Algonquin Chief Madeleine Paul Confirms No Development of Lands
and Resources in Mattawa
Region is Legal Unless Eagle Village First Nation Gives Consent
(Eagle Village, Algonquin Territory/February 24, 2015) Chief
Madeleine Paul today stated that as a successor band to the
historic Mattawa band, the Eagle Village FIrst Nation asserts
Algonquin Aboriginal Rights and Title to the Mattawa region. On
January 23, 2013, Eagle Village First Nation (along with Wolf Lake
and Timiskaming First Nations) announced their assertion of
Aboriginal rights and title to their traditional territories. The
purpose of the announcement was to put other governments on notice,
and to establish a firm basis for an effective consultation and
accommodation process regarding developments that impact on their
rights. The territory covered under this Assertion of Rights and
Title, measuring over 34,000 square kilometres, straddles the
Quebec-Ontario border along the Upper Ottawa River (see attached
map), with a large portion of it located in Ontario. The evidence,
which has been in preparation for almost 22 years, shows that these
communities are descended from the Algonquin bands that
traditionally used and occupied the territory, and that they meet
the legal tests for establishing rights and title. Because the
rights being asserted are trans-boundary, this will require the
attention and commitment of the government of Canada, as well as
the governments of Quebec and Ontario. There are also some
significant areas of overlap with the so called "Algonquins of
Ontario" claim, which will need particular consideration in the
short term. The only Algonquin Chief based in Ontario who the Eagle
Village First Nation recognizes is Pikwakanagan (Golden Lake) Chief
Kirby Whiteduck. The Eagle Village First Nation questions the
so-called Algonquins of Ontario because it is a policy fiction
created by the Ontario and federal governments for negotiation
purposes. Chief Paul stated it remains to be seen if these
non-status groups who claim to be Algonquins even meet the legal
tests set out under the recent Tsilhqotin decision to be title
holders. Chief Madeleine Paul also stated there can be no legal
development of lands and resources in the Mattawa region without
the consent of Eagle Village First Nation because it is our
Aboriginal Title territory. We also have Eagle Village community
members based in Mattawa who have Aboriginal Rights and Title
because they are connected to and members of our community.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Chief Madeleine Paul: Office:
(819) 627-3455
Lac Sairs
Lac Kipawa Lac Dumoine
Ottawa River
Lac des Loups
Lac des Quinze
Lake Nipissing
Lac Maganasipi
Rivire Dumoine
Lac Tmiscamingue
MattawaNorth Bay
Deep River
Ville-Marie
Tmiscaming
Rouyn-NorandaKirkland Lake
Hunter's Point
Temiskaming ShoresTimiskaming Indian Reserve
Eagle Village Indian Reserve
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Timiskaming, Wolf Lake and Eagle Village: Asserted Aboriginal
Rights AreaThis map shows the area over which the Algonquin
FirstNations of Timiskaming, Wolf Lake, and Eagle Villageassert
continuing Aboriginal rights. This territory, whichmeasures
approximately 34,209 square kilometres (13,208square miles),
straddles the Ontario - Quebec border, andincludes the areas over
which each of these communitiesasserts its own Aboriginal title, as
well as Aboriginal rights.The Timiskaming, Wolf Lake and Eagle
Village First Nationsalso assert rights over the traditional
territory of theAlgonquin nation (see inset below) that inhere as a
result ofbeing part of the Algonquin nation.The inset map below
shows Algonquin Nation territory in theperiod 1850-1867. The total
area of the nations territory atthis time measured about 195,772
square kilometres(75,587 sq mi), of which 38% lies in what is now
theprovince of Ontario. For reference purposes, the map alsoshows
the boundary established by the Royal Proclamationof 1763 between
the new British Colony of Quebec (carvedout of the former French
colony of Canada or New France)and Indian Territory.
... an aboriginal society asserting the right to live on
itsancestral lands must specify the area which has beencontinuously
used and occupied. That is, the generalboundaries of the occupied
territory should be identified. Irecognize, however, that when
dealing with vast tracts ofterritory it may be impossible to
identify geographical limitswith scientific precision. Nonetheless,
this should notpreclude the recognition of a general right of
occupation ofthe affected land. Rather, the drawing of exact
territoriallimits can be settled by subsequent negotiations
betweenthe aboriginal claimants and the government.Delgamuukw v.
British Columbia [1997] 3 S.C.R. 1010, perLa Forest, J., at para.
195
LegendOntario & Quebec Boundary Commission line of
1875Height of landTimiskaming, Wolf Lake, and Eagle Village Rights
Area
Without prejudice and for discussion only. This map
isprovisional. Boundaries are based on the results ofresearch to
date and may change as additional materialsare discovered. This map
is not to be displayed, used, orreproduced without prior approval
of the Algonquin NationSecretariat.Prepared by Pierre Giaro for the
Algonquin NationSecretariat, January 2013. RN 51836.
0 20 40 60Kilometers1:550,000
QUEBEC
ONTARIO
TEL: (819) 627-3455 [email protected] FAX: (819)
627-9428