Staff
Nearly 6,000 hectares of reserve land have been created for the use and benefit of Rainy River First Nations.
The announcement by the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and Rainy River First Nations came Friday after years of collaboration between the parties.
Back in 2005, Rainy River First Nations and the federal and provincial governments negotiated a settlement agreement, which identified lands for reserve creation.
Then this past February, federal Order-in-Councils set apart 5,986 hectares (14,792 acres) of land as reserved for the use and benefit of Rainy River First Nations.
Increasing the land base of Rainy River First Nations will meet the current and future needs of the community, as well as create new opportunities for its 1,100 members.
“We are pleased that these lands are now reserve,” RRFN Chief Jim Leonard said in a press release.
“Our membership will move forward with our vision to build a stronger economy and a more sustainable community,” he noted.
“I am happy to see the Rainy River First Nations’ settlement agreement being fulfilled to benefit community members,” said Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Don Rusnak.
“This additional land will lead to a brighter future and better opportunities for the community and surrounding region,” he added.
“I look forward to continuing to work with leadership, and community members, as we continue to forge the path of reconciliation.”
“With this addition, Rainy River First Nations is better placed to achieve their vision of a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous community,” said federal Indigenous and Northern Affairs minister Carolyn Bennett.
“Progress like this provides hope for their youth and sets an example of our shared journey of reconciliation,” she remarked.
“I am thrilled that the Rainy River First Nations’ settlement agreement is being fulfilled to benefit community members,” echoed provincial Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation minister David Zimmer.
“This additional land will lead to a brighter future and better opportunities for the community, an important part of reconciliation,” he said.
