Woodland Cree Timber Claim Slowly Moving Forward

Woodland Cree Timber Claim Slowly Moving Forward

Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 14:43

Officials with the Montreal Lake Cree Nation and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band are hopeful a timber claim can soon be resolved.

Nearly five years ago, a claim for negotiation was accepted on the surrender of timber, land and the federal mismanagement of funds dating back to 1904.

First Nations officials believe the surrender of timber was invalid and illegal, and also negatively affected the economies of the two First Nations.

Montreal Lake advisor Alphonse Bird says a major issue still to be decided is the final amount of compensation to be paid out by the federal government.

Bird says he hopes talks on the compensation can resume in two months.

He adds there have been setbacks in the negotiations — but overall, the process is still moving ahead.