Algonquins of Ontario Land Claim Faces Criticism

The historic land claim agreement that has been agreed to in principle between the Algonquins of Ontario and the federal and provincial governments is being denounced by several Iroquois and Algonquin First Nation Chiefs.
Their charge is that many of the people in the Algonquins of Ontario group are not actually Algonquin or even aboriginal.
The claim covers 36,000 square kilometres between Nipissing District and North Bay.
The proposed deal would transfer over 117,000 acres of Crown land and a $300 million settlement to the Algonquins.
If approved, it will become Ontario’s first modern-day constitutionally protected treaty.
Several chiefs from around the area joined forces in Ottawa to express unity in opposition of the AOO claim process.
They are concerned for other legitimate First Nations and say their territory overlaps with the AOO land claim but have been ignored in the process.
The land claim is currently in the midst of a ratification vote.