Canada and the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg settle the Reconstruction of Highway 11 in 1960 Specific Claim 

From: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

News release

July 29, 2022 — Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Submitted by Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg on March 22, 2016, the Reconstruction of Highway 11 in 1960 Specific Claim concerns the land that was taken from the River Desert Reserve (now Kitigan Zibi reserve) in 1960 along the entire length of Highway 11 (now Highway 105) through the reserve. Canada failed to ensure that the Band was compensated for the road easement of 19.24 acres that was required as part of the reconstruction project.

Today, Chief Dylan Whiteduck and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced that Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and the Government of Canada have reached a settlement in this specific claim. In the settlement agreement, Canada agreed to provide compensation totaling $2 million.

Honouring Canada’s legal obligations to Indigenous Peoples and working collaboratively to resolve historical grievances is fundamental to advancing reconciliation in Canada, and to rebuilding Canada’s relationship with Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg both for the current members of the community and for the generations to come.

Quotes

“This is an important moment and the Government of Canada has taken the proper path to right an historical wrong for a loss that is over 60 years old. We are pleased to have ratified the settlement agreement and are confident it will contribute to our economic and social development.”

Chief Dylan Whiteduck
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation

“Addressing historical grievances is a key step in rebuilding our nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples. I would like to thank Chief Dylan Whiteduck and his negotiation team, as well as the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, for their dedication and collaborative efforts which led to the successful resolution of this specific claim.”

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations 

 

Quick facts

  • The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg is an Algonquin First Nation in Quebec. It is based in the Outaouais region, located at the confluence of Kitigan Zibi (Desert River) and the Gatineau River near Maniwaki.

  • The Reconstruction of Highway 11 in 1960 Specific Claim was accepted for negotiation in February 2020. Settlement was reached in May 2022 and ratified by the First Nation on May 30, 2022. The settlement agreement was executed by Minister Miller on June 22, 2022, formally settling the claim.

  • Canada has a longstanding policy and process in place to resolve specific claims by negotiating settlements with First Nations. Since January 1, 2016, it has settled 210 specific claims with First Nations, totalling $6.4 billion in compensation. 

  • In the fiscal year 2020-2021, 56 claims were filed with Canada, 48 claims were assessed (43 proposed for negotiation, and 5 not), and 36 claims were resolved.

  • Working in partnership with First Nations, Canada has resolved 625 specific claims since 1973.

Associated links

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Renelle Arsenault
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations
renelle.arsenault@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

CIRNAC Media Relations:
Email: RCAANC.Media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca
Phone: 819-934-2302

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