Kahtou 0004
Nov. 2000

Ottawa ­ The Manitoba Claim Settlement Implementation Act received Royal Assent recently. This important piece of legislation will facilitate the implementation of present and future claim settlement in arrangements Manitoba, and help to strengthen the economic self-reliance of First Nations in the province.

The Manitoba Claim Settlements Implementation Act has two parts. Part 1 addresses some aspects of the Norway House Cree Nationšs Maser Implementation Agreement, which resolves legal obligations associated with flooding in Northern Manitoba in the early 1970šs. Part 2 is wider in scope than part 1 in that it will benefit many Manitoba First Nations. This Part pertains to the implementation of all claims settlement agreements across the province ­ existing or futures ­ that contain commitments to expand a First Nationšs reserve land.

"The Manitoba Claim Settlements Implementation Act will help to better implement claims settlement agreements in Manitoba and enhance the self-sufficiency of First Nations in Manitoba by building stronger community based- economies," said Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Robert Nault. "The passage of the Act is a key indicator of Canadašs ongoing commitment to both settlements of fruition. Settling land claims promotes economic a more promising future for Aboriginal People and for all Canadians."

Part 1 of the Manitoba Claim Settlement Implementation Act, and the Norway House Master Implementation Agreement which underlies it, resolves the outstanding grievances resulting from the implementation of the Northern Flood Agreement as it impacted the Norway House Cree Nation. The Norway House Cree Nation was one other five First nations adversely affected by the Lake Winnipeg Regulation Project. Part 1 of the Manitoba Claim Settlement Implementation Act will ensure that certain provision of the Norway House Cree Nation Master Implementation Agreement, including the provision of fee simple land and monies to the Norway House Cree Nation, can be implemented in the manner that the parties to that agreement intended. Under the provision of Part 1 of the Act,The Norway House Cree Nation will have full and direct control over their master Implementation Agreement funds and fee simple lands. This will give the First Nation a solid base to achieve their economic development objectives and will allow for the continued growth of the economy, community infrastructure, and social programs at the Norway House Cree Nation.

Part 2 of the Act deals with the expansion of the reserve land base for several First Nation in Manitoba, stemming from commitments made by Canada in the Manitoba Treaty land Entitlement Framework of 1997 and other existing or future Manitoba claim settlements. Specifically, part 2 will help First Nations use lands in ways that actively stimulate economic development even before the reserves and created, and assist in building healthy and self-sufficient First Nation communities in the province.

Gathering Strength ­ Canadašs Aboriginal Action Plan affirms Canadašs commitment to working in partnership with First Nations to settle outstanding First Nation land claims and spur economic development in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities alike.