Tobique First Nation votes on $39M land claim settlement – CBC

Land claim has been under negotiation with federal government for more than 40 years

Sep 14, 2016

There is fierce support and opposition among members of Tobique First Nation over a nearly $40-million dollar land claim that’s been under negotiation more than 40 years and is finally being decided through a vote Wednesday.

The $39.2-million settlement from the federal government would be compensation for 10,000 acres of land near the reserve — or more than 4,000 hectares — that was taken over by Ottawa a century ago.

“It’s basically compensation for the land that they took. For lack of a better term, stole,” said Chief Ross Perley.

The deal, which would provide at least $13,500 for every member of the First Nation, could drastically change the lives of people in the community.

Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/tobique-first-nation-land-claim-vote-1.3762595