AKWESASNE – The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) announced that they have passed a resolution on the proposed Tsikaristisere/Dundee Claim Settlement Agreement-in-principle.
The settlement will now be presented to the community at large for approval.
As a part of the settlement, the MCA has the opportunity to expand its lands by 18,282 acres in accordance with the Additions to Reserve policy. All acquired lands will be bought from willing sellers in Ontario and Quebec.
“I would like to commend the efforts of past and current MCA negotiation team members,” said MCA Grand Chief Abram Benedict. “For nearly 40 years, this hard work and dedication has led to the successful conclusion of negotiations between the MCA and Canada. As we go forth, we are looking forward to the community’s involvement in determining the approval of the settlement.”
The MCA presented their claim to the federal government in 1981 under the Specific Claims Policy. In April 2015, the Government of Canada made a global settlement offer of $239,808,436.
The MCA will be holding information sessions around the history of the Dundee land claim before the settlement is voted on by the community in a referendum.
