2-00110

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND CALDWELL FIRST NATION TAKE NEXT STEP IN CLAIM SETTLEMENT PROCESS

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (February 1, 2000) - Today the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Robert Nault and Caldwell First Nation Chief Larry Johnson announced that a Ratification Officer has been appointed to conduct a ratification vote on the proposed settlement of the Caldwell First Nation specific claim. It is anticipated that the vote will be conducted in early April.

Doug Patterson, Special Projects Officer, Land Negotiations with the Ontario Regional Office of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND), has been designated as the Caldwell Claim Ratification Officer. Mr. Patterson, a 28-year veteran employee of the Public Service of Canada, will oversee the upcoming ratification vote.

Chief Johnson stated, "After 210 years of struggling to secure a land base for the Caldwell First Nation which will ensure the survival of our people, our members will at last have an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote on the land claim settlement agreement. I have personally been involved in this process for the last thirty years and I am pleased that a successful resolution to this grievance is finally forthcoming."

"Together we are embarking on one of the most important steps in the process of settling this land claim," stated Minister Nault. "We know that the settling of land claims creates a positive and stable climate for investment on Aboriginal lands and in surrounding communities. Now it is time to ensure that all voting members of the Caldwell First Nation have the opportunity to vote on the substance of this agreement."

The Indian Commission of Ontario (ICO), an independent body established to facilitate negotiations in land claims settlements, assisted the First Nation and Canada in facilitating discussions leading to the proposed settlement agreement. "After many years of research, negotiations with the government of Canada and public discussions, the Chief and Council of the Caldwell First Nation have finalized a proposed settlement agreement with the government of Canada," stated Philip Goulais, Commissioner of the ICO. "This agreement will now be placed before the First Nation community for their review and ultimately a final decision. The future of the Caldwell First Nation is in their hands and we wish them every success with their decision."

The Ratification Officer will ensure that the following conditions are met:

• the notice of ratification vote will be posted for at least 30 days prior to the vote
• information about the vote and proposed settlement will be mailed to First Nation members at the time the notice of ratification vote is posted. This information will include the two agreements which form the basis for the settlement: the settlement agreement and the trust agreement
• an information session will be held for Caldwell First Nation members, where the First Nation's legal and financial advisors will be present to answer any questions about the proposed settlement, and the Ratification Officer will also be present to inform First Nation members of the ratification procedures
• voting will be conducted by secret ballot
• provision will be made for advance polling and mail in voting

In order for the settlement agreement and trust agreement to be ratified, a majority of eligible voters must cast ballots, and a majority of those who cast ballots would need to vote in favour. The list of eligible voters will be provided to DIAND based on the First Nation's membership list. All Caldwell First Nation members of legal voting age are eligible to exercise their right to cast a vote on the proposed settlement and trust agreements.

The settlement agreement would become final once they are ratified through the vote by the Caldwell First Nation and then signed by the Chief and Council of the First Nation and by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. The trust agreement would become final once it is ratified through the vote of the Caldwell First Nation and signed by Chief, Council and Trustees of the First Nation.

General background information on the Caldwell First Nation Claim is also available by calling toll free 1-888-590-2155.

For more information on this release, contact:

Steven Outhouse
Department of Indian Affairs
and Northern Development
(819) 994-2044

Del Riley
Caldwell First Nation
(519) 676-5499

Caldwell Claim and Additions to Reserve Policy

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