The Rainy River First Nations (RRFNs), Ontario and Canada established and maintained an open process for information sharing during their negotiations to resolve the RRFNs' claim. The negotiators for the parties also completed an extensive consultation process with respect to the Crown land component of the Settlement Agreement. Here are some of the highlights:

• Throughout the negotiations, the RRFNs kept its members appraised of progress through regular newsletters and ongoing consultations at community meetings;
  
  
• RRFNs communicated regularly and RRFNs and Ontario also consulted with the Chiefs of other area First Nations;
  
  
• Information about the claim and the negotiations was shared on an ongoing basis with the interested public at the RRFNs annual fish fry each May, through interviews with local media and at displays set up at Manitou Mounds;
  
  
• In early 2000, the negotiators for RRFNs, Ontario and Canada initiated a series of briefings with local officials, the most recent of which was held in June 2003. The RRFNs and municipal representatives have been discussing issues of mutual concern over the past five years and plan to continue this important dialogue in the future;
  
  
• The public consultation process on the Crown land selections began in the fall of 2002. At a series of open houses in Nestor Falls, Morson, Rainy River, Emo, Fort Frances and Manitou Rapids Reserve, comments were sought from the interested public on the proposed Crown land selections. The open houses were advertised in local newspapers and directly affected parties received their invitation through a direct mailing;
  
  
• Over the next year and a half, a series of meetings was held with individual Crown land permit holders and licensees, interested groups, tourist outfitters and landowners to address any land-related concerns;
  
  
• Feedback on the most frequently asked questions and answers from the open houses was provided to all those who attended the open houses, to anyone who expressed an interest in receiving more information and to directly affected parties through the March 2003 newsletter. This newsletter was also distributed to those on the parties' mailing list;
  
  
• Ontario's negotiator and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources worked to accommodate identified interests wherever appropriate and concluded discussions with those directly affected by the proposed Crown land selections. The input and comments received during the consultation process were considered in determining the final boundaries of the Crown land component; and
  
  
• A third and final newsletter was distributed in June 2004 describing the results of the public consultation process. A signing ceremony for the final Settlement Agreement was held at the RRFNs annual fish fry on May 20, 2005.
  

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