Williams Treaties First Nations Settlement Agreement
Description of the infographic of Williams Treaties First Nations Settlement Agreement
Who are the Williams Treaties First Nations?
- Alderville
- Beausoleil
- Chippewas of Georgina Island
- Rama
- Curve Lake
- Hiawatha
- Mississaugas of Scugog Island
Looking back: the Williams Treaties
1700s to 1800s: Treaties made for southern part of First Nations’ traditional lands that protect their harvesting rights
Mid-1800s: First Nations first petition Crown about settlers on northern part of their traditional lands who are interfering with their harvesting
1923: Williams Treaties signed to try to deal with First Nations’ complaints, but lead to longstanding disputes about compensation, land and harvesting
1992: First Nations file litigation seeking justice and fair compensation
The claim
Crown did not act honourably when making and implementing Williams Treaties:
- proper compensation and additional lands not provided in 1923
- First Nations’ harvesting rights unjustly denied
Timeline: path to out-of-court settlement
Dec. 2015: Start of exploratory talks
March 2017: Negotiations begin with Canada, Ontario and First Nations
June 2018: First Nations members approve settlement
Aug. 2018: Ontario and Canada sign settlement
Nov. 2018: Federal and provincial apologies
The negotiated Settlement Agreement
Recognition of pre-existing treaty harvesting rights
for First Nations members in certain treaty areas
Federal and provincial apologies
for negative impacts of the Williams Treaties on First Nations
Financial compensation
$666 million from Canada and $444 million from Ontario
Additional reserve lands
each First Nation can acquire and apply to add up to 11,000 acres to their reserve land base
Looking ahead…
Continue to work together as partners to:
- fully implement the settlement
- renew ongoing treaty relationship
- foster reconciliation and understanding