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24/10/2003

Moosomin Settlement Shows Value of ICC Process

Ottawa (October 24, 2003) - The Indian Claims Commission (ICC) today congratulated the Moosomin First Nation and the government of Canada for their settlement of the First Nation's longstanding land claim on October 2, 2003.

"We are pleased that this claim which dates back to 1909 has been resolved," said ICC Chief Commissioner, Renée Dupuis. "We are particularly happy to have been of assistance to the parties in reaching a settlement without their having had to resort to the courts, something that would have been very costly for both the First Nation and the federal government."

The Moosomin First Nation is to receive $41 million and costs to compensate for the relocation of its members from its reserve near Battleford, Saskatchewan to a new reserve unsuited to agriculture near the community of Cochin.

The ICC conducted an inquiry into the First Nation's claim which had been rejected by Canada in 1995. That inquiry concluded in 1997 and Canada accepted the claim, based on the ICC's recommendations. Negotiations commenced in 1997. When the parties encountered some difficulties in their discussions, the First Nation asked the ICC in 2000 to provide mediation facilitation services.

"The fact that the parties were able to arrive at a settlement by availing themselves of the ICC's mediation services is very gratifying," concluded Chief Commissioner Dupuis.

The ICC was established in 1991. Its mandate is: to inquire, at the request of a First Nation, into specific claims that have been rejected by the federal government or where the First Nation disputes the compensation criteria being considered in negotiations; and to provide mediation services on consent of the parties at any stage of the claims process.

To download the report PDF