NEWS RELEASE
ATIKAMEKSHENG ANISHNAWBEK (WHITEFISH LAKE FIRST NATION)
************************* Atikameksheng Anishnawbek initiate land claim for $550 billion
(May 13) - The Gimaa (chief) and council of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek wish to announce that they have commenced litigation against Canada and Ontario for the failure of the Crown to provide the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek with a reservation consistent with the terms of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.
The Atikameksheng Anishnawbek reservation is located 20 kilometers south west of Sudbury Ontario and is currently 45,000 acres in size.
In 1850 the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek entered into the Robinson Huron Treaty with the Crown which was to have set aside a reservation that is more than five times larger than the current reservation that was set aside in 1885.
The Crown has failed to honour the terms of the treaty and the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek seek financial compensation for the loss of use of the land as well as the return of Crown land to the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.
The loss of use of the land in question has been conservatively valued at $550 billion and is based on an amount owing for all mineral and timber extraction that has taken place from 1850 to date.
The Atikameksheng Anishnawbek are not seeking to displace anyone from their home or business and are currently engaged in identifying pieces of Crown land that can be returned to the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.
The Atikameksheng Anishnawbek are also actively engaged with local industry and business to ensure that consultation and accommodation are undertaken pending the outcome of this litigation.
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