‘We are being led astray’: Kitigan Zibi chief blasts Canadian government over negotiation process for Aboriginal Title claim
Posted Dec 13, 2022 03:02:00 PM.
Members of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg (KZA) First Nation are ready to take the Canadian government back to court over an Aboriginal Title claim to the core lands in the City of Ottawa.
“We are seeking title to the land, as in, 100 per cent pure ownership of the areas we are filing on, which actually includes Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court lands, Lebreton Flats lands, and more recently, subject to lands that we're filing title on, we actually included the Chaudière Falls and the Museum of Civilization,” KZA Chief Dylan Whiteduck told Wake Up With Rob Snow on Dec. 13.
Since filing the claim in December of 2016, Chief Whiteduck said the First Nation has worked to resolve the title claim but said it has become apparent Canada has no interest or mandate to recognize Aboriginal Title.
“Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg has attempted to resolve the longstanding grievance through negotiation with Canada, but the Crown has not committed to anything substantive, and the negotiation process has been a lot of talk and no action by Canada,” Chief Whiteduck said in a recent press release.
He adds that KZA has now made the “difficult but important decision to return to court to resolve the injustice that occurred when its Aboriginal Title lands were wrongfully taken.”
“Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg members controlled the land at sovereignty and have never ceded their territory through treaty or any other means. At this point in time, pursuing Aboriginal Title in the courts is the only realistic choice for the community.”
He also said the negotiation process with the government over the last six years has been very discouraging.
“Despite Canada's published online material stating that it will work to recognize rights and title agreements, our experience is that Canada has no mandate to do so, and we strongly believe we are being led astray with the negotiations process.”
Chief Whiteduck also advises that Canada's approach to negotiations has created risks for investors and developers that wish to build on unceded Aboriginal Title lands.
“It's going to be a mess for the next eight-to-ten years and importantly, Canadians need to be aware of it,” Whiteduck told CityNews Ottawa. “This is risky for Canada, this is risky for the City of Ottawa, and this is risky for even, perhaps, some developments.”
Whiteduck said it's time for Canada to change its approach and not just talk.
“KZA wants to see substantive steps on Canada's part to demonstrate a real step towards reconciliation.”
Listen to the full interview with Chief Whiteduck on Wake Up With Rob Snow: