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Deal allows use of Point this year
Thursday, 16 April 2009 - 1:24pm
“There was an agreement between the First Nations and the town that it is going to remain a park for the upcoming year,” Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig said yesterday afternoon.
“We are going to maintain it and we hope everybody enjoys it.
“We’re looking forward to some mediation we’ve agreed to and seeing where that heads,” McCaig added. “Hopefully we can work with all the parties to find some areas of mutual satisfaction.”
The agreement is not considered a lease extension, and the town is not paying any additional fees, McCaig confirmed.
Any other details are not being disclosed.
Legal counsel for the town had filed a notice of motion in court last week, and was expected to appear in court here yesterday to ask a judge to consider allowing the town to keep running the park until ongoing litigation between Couchiching, Naicatchewenin, Nicickousemenecaning, and Stanjikoming First Nations and the federal, provincial, and municipal governments is resolved, or as long as the Ontario Order-in-Council that initially declared the area “a park” remains in effect.
But the matter was adjourned by mutual consent of both parties.
Staff
While both sides work towards a long-term solution to the expiration of the 99-year Agency One land lease, local residents and tourists can rest assured they will be able to keep using Pither’s Point Park this year.
The town said in a press release issued yesterday that “an agreement has been reached in accordance with the wishes of the First Nations and the town,” and that the town “will continue to maintain the park for the enjoyment of all people.”
“We are going to maintain it and we hope everybody enjoys it.
“We’re looking forward to some mediation we’ve agreed to and seeing where that heads,” McCaig added. “Hopefully we can work with all the parties to find some areas of mutual satisfaction.”
The agreement is not considered a lease extension, and the town is not paying any additional fees, McCaig confirmed.
Any other details are not being disclosed.
Legal counsel for the town had filed a notice of motion in court last week, and was expected to appear in court here yesterday to ask a judge to consider allowing the town to keep running the park until ongoing litigation between Couchiching, Naicatchewenin, Nicickousemenecaning, and Stanjikoming First Nations and the federal, provincial, and municipal governments is resolved, or as long as the Ontario Order-in-Council that initially declared the area “a park” remains in effect.
But the matter was adjourned by mutual consent of both parties.
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Pithers Point
I think it's pure nonsense for the town to keep this land for another year. There should be no discussion whatsoever. The reserves should just take back the land that they OWN! Mayor Avis and friends should have absolutely no say. if it was theirs, rest assured they'd take it in a jiffy. Come on now!
The Point
There is alot of evidence that the point belongs to the First Nations.Hudson'Bay Archives indicates that also.There should be no discussion in this.Another thing is that the Leaders of these four First Nation never had a discussion with the First Nation community about any dialogue that took place with the town.Your responsibilities as leader are to the people who elected you.You forgot were you come from.Dialogue should have been with the community members of the four First Nation especially with the elders and the youth they are the future generation of this land.What happen to our traditional dialogue?
The Point
I think that if the reserve wants the land then let them have it. The question lies in what they plan to do with it. Are they going to take the initiative and do something about the decline of the property and fix it up and to make it profitable or are they going to let it decline further and waste the potential of the land.
Rehab the docks, put up a concession stand for summer times and special events, clean up the campsites and add amenities to encourage people to come and spend money there, have events and encourage others to have events there. It would be a beautiful place for weddings if there was a pavillion where the Fort used to be.
The reason of the decline of the point is the treaty. Why would the town spend money on a property that isn't going to be theres in few years?
I will be interested to see how this plays out.
Point park
I think it is appalling that the four Chiefs have the audacity to presume they have a right to sign away any land for any lenght of time without the will of the people. As far as I am concerned the Great Spirit gave us all the land and not just four selected individuals. The land is our Mother and we should always hold her dear to us. It is ironic that they gave the town permission to use the land while at the same time the town threatened them with court action. This reeks.
The Place of Gathering for our Nations People
I am not going to hide my name, as i have no shame or fear of speaking up for the future of this generations youth who are watching and hear the things being said and done. Nor, will i hide who i am out of respect for our ancestors who fought & suffered so much for us to be here today as a Nation of Anishinaabe people. I am disappointed in our Leadership and know there are many of us out there that feel the disappointment of the ancestors and imagine what our youth will feel when they understand that our Leaders did not act as Ogidchita would for the people. Leaders taking the lead With Strength, Pride, Honor and Courage standing firm in what is right in a good way for the benefit of our future generations.
The town was well aware of the lease coming up. Why did you not prepare yourselves as you would if the lease on your car was up?
As for the Leadership, why did you not approach your Nations people who had faith in you to speak and act on their behalf in a timely and open manner?
Historically, the four First Nations were never asked to approve the lease.
It would not have been approved of, the park proposal had already been protested on 29 September 1909. AND,
What happened to the Commissioners promise that the Reserve was "FOREVER" for the Indians and their descendants? This does not at all sound like it is up for negotiations or could it ever be or have been. This is not written to disrespect or offend any person in any way.
Miigwetch