Completed Inquiries – Reports Released

01/12/1994

Micmacs of Gesgapegiag [Horse Island] - December 1994

The Micmacs of Gesgapegiag have claimed Horse Island at the mouth of the Cascapedia River in the Baie des Chaleurs since non-Indians began settling the area. The modern history of the claim began in 1986 and the Indian Claims Commission became involved in 1993. As a result of the first Planning Conference, the government agreed to consider the claim on its merits. The Commission contributed to this process in two ways: through its objective summary of the history and legal background of the claim, and through the mediative effect of the Planning Conference.

The Commission was able to suspend the inquiry and recommend to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development that it write to all affected First Nations whose claims were rejected because of the pre-Confederation bar, informing them that if they wish their claim reconsidered, they should notify the Department.

An important consideration in this inquiry was the removal, in 1991, of the pre-Confederation bar. This bar had previously excluded consideration of pre-Confederation claims.

Response: In March 1995, government acknowledged receipt of report and advised claim was in abeyance pending outcome of related court case.

To download the government's response

To download the report - PDF