Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice is denying reports that a recent land claims settlement with Manitoba's Roseau River First Nation was an attempt to quell anger during the national aboriginal day of protest on June 29.
During an appearance on CTV's Question Period, Prentice said the 75 acres of land granted to the Roseau River First Nation last week was a result of long negotiations -- and not mounting threats.
"We've been working on this for some time. The first time I discussed this with Chief Nelson was in April 2006 and I met again with him in March 2007 and we've moved forward," Prentice said from Calgary on Sunday.
"June 29 is an important day but it's important to recognize on any given day my department has over 800 land claims at some stage of the negotiating process. We continue to resolve some of those before June 29 and we'll continue to resolve some of them after June 29."
The Roseau River First Nation had pledged to block CN rail crossings on the Roseau River on June 29 on the planned aboriginal "national day of action."
Chief Terry Nelson commended Prentice for his action last week and vowed there would be no rail blockade after the land was granted.
The new land is situated about 20 minutes from downtown Winnipeg, northwest of the urban centre.
The band intends to develop at least 10 acres of the property with several commercial businesses by fall, Nelson said.
"This is something he (Nelson) has been frustrated by for 15 years trying to achieve. So, we talked about that the very first time we met," Prentice said.
Critics contend the allocation of the land sends a poor message to other First Nations' leaders that the louder they yell, the sooner the land claim will be resolved.
Timing an issue
Prentice maintained the Conservative government was making more progress compared to past governments.
"For 60 years no previous prime minister or government has had the courage or the vision to move forward in a way that First Nations' leadership has been asking," Prentice said.
Critics suggest timing of the settlement with Chief Nelson suggests reason to be wary that the deal was struck not its' merits but because the minority government did not want its agenda derailed by a summer plagued by protests.
"The Roseau River First Nation for 135 years has been trying to get this issue resolved and they are legally entitled to have this land converted to reserve status. How long do people think these people should have to wait," Prentice asked.
"I am the minister and I am responsible to deal with this issue and have dealt with it in a responsible and expeditious way and we've been working on this for some time."
Earlier this month Ottawa pledged $250 million per year to solve some land claims currently on the books.
The government also offered $125 million to help put an end to the simmering standoff at a former housing development in Caledonia, Ont.
Prentice has also been meeting with native leaders to discuss his proposal for an independent land claims commission to speed up the processing system.
