M’Chigeeng to gain control over land management, resources and environment – Manitoulin Expositor

27 Sep 2013

M’CHIGEENG—The Government of Canada has announced that 28 more First Nations, including the M’Chigeeng First Nation, will begin unlocking the economic potential of First Nation land by getting out from under the land-related sections of the Indian Act to assume greater control over their reserve land and resources. The announcement was made September 19 by the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, along with Chief Robert Louie, chair of the First Nations Land Advisory Board (LAB), and Chief Austin Bear, chair of the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre Inc.

“The full meaning is to be determined, but the benefits that will come with this new management regime is that our First Nation will be able to look after our own land,” stated Joseph Hare, chief of the M’Chigeeng First Nation, on Tuesday.

“Our government is committed to working with interested First Nations to create jobs and economic opportunities and the First Nations Land Management Regime continues to be a proven and successful tool of economic development,” said Mr. Valcourt. “We will continue to work with interested First Nations across Canada to enable the development of their lands and resources, ensuring the conditions for strong, self-sufficient and prosperous communities.”

Read more: http://www.manitoulin.ca/2013/09/27/mchigeeng-gain-control-land-management-resources-environment/