MOHAWK COUNCIL OF AKWESASNE AND CANADA AGREE TO NEGOTIATE DUNDEE CLAIM

News Release

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (January 27, 2005) -- Grand Chief Angela Wahienhawi Barnes of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) and the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development are pleased to announce that the parties have agreed on a new beginning to resolve a longstanding claim relating to lands in the Tsikaristisere/Dundee area in the Province of Quebec. "The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne looks forward to productive negotiations and a timely settlement of our Tsikaristisere land claim," expressed Grand Chief Angela Wahienhawi Barnes. "We believe that negotiation of this claim can produce the best resolution of Mohawk issues for our people now and for the future." "The Government of Canada welcomes the opportunity to work with the MCA toward a fair and just settlement that would bring final closure to the outstanding issues raised through this claim," said Minister Scott. "A settlement will create many new opportunities for the future that will benefit the people of Akwesasne and local economies. By working together through these negotiations, Canada and the MCA also have an opportunity to renew and strengthen their relationship." MCA and Canada firmly believe that the best way to resolve this outstanding claim is through constructive and co-operative negotiations. The parties are committed to resolving the claim fairly and in the context of respect and good will that characterizes their mutual dealings. Through this new beginning, MCA and Canada will be seeking to resolve outstanding issues with respect to the alleged invalid surrender of the Tsikaristisere/Dundee lands in 1888, the alleged inadequate compensation paid for that transaction and alleged invalid leases issued in the area starting in the early 1800s. Tsikaristisere is the Akwesasne Mohawk name for the place known as Dundee. The first step in the negotiation process will be for the parties to reach agreement on a protocol or course of action that will guide the negotiations, including a protocol on information sharing. To this end, MCA has already begun consulting with the people of Akwesasne and the parties have also initiated a series of face-to-face meetings with key local officials to provide information and answer questions. The parties will maintain an open process for information sharing with Akwesasne and other interested parties throughout the negotiations. Resolutions in other claims settlements have provided First Nations with the opportunity to purchase land on a willing-buyer/willing-seller basis and to apply to have those lands added to their reserve. However, no private property owners are dispossessed of their lands through the process. - 30 - For more information, please contact: Media Relations Officer Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (613) 575-2348 Diane Laursen INAC Media Relations (819) 994-2044 Backgrounder - The Tsikaristisere/Dundee Claim

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MOHAWK COUNCIL OF AKWESASNE AND CANADA AGREE TO NEGOTIATE DUNDEE CLAIM

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