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CHIPPEWAS OF THE THAMES FIRST NATION CELEBRATES $15 MILLION CLAIM SETTLEMENT

LONDON, ONTARIO (June 3, 2005) - At a special ceremony held today at the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, representatives of the Government of Canada joined community members to celebrate a historic claim settlement. The claim dates back to the mid-1800s, when land sales monies were misappropriated by Colonel J. B. Clench, a Superintendent of Indian Affairs from 1830-1854.

“The claim itself was not about land, it was about the misuse of funds from land sales," said Chief Riley. "It's too bad that it had to take this long considering how hard our past Councils worked, especially during inquiry processes in the 1870s and 1890s. Having said that, I feel relieved that we've finally reached a settlement that everyone could agree on. In the end, it came down to negotiating a sum of money that was fair based on the facts of the case."

The settlement provides the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation with a financial compensation package totalling $15 million for the damages and losses it suffered as a result of the claim.

“Today, we’re celebrating the resolution of a longstanding grievance and an important turning point for the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation,” said local Member of Parliament, Rose-Marie Ur, who attended the event on behalf of the Government of Canada. “The settlement of this claim honours an outstanding lawful obligation and will open up new opportunities for economic development for the First Nation. The success of these negotiations demonstrates that by working together through a respectful and open dialogue to settle past grievances, we can build a more promising future for First Nation people.”

The settlement was ratified by First Nation members in a vote last June and then by Canada. A trust created by the First Nation enables them to invest the cash compensation for the benefit of present and future generations of First Nation members (both on- and off-reserve).

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation is located about 30 kilometres southwest of London, Ontario and has approximately 2,262 registered members.

For more information, please contact:

Chief Kelly Riley
Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
(519) 289-5555

Al Fleming
INAC Media Relations
(819) 997-8402

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