YELLOWKNIFE – APTN National News reports that Ottawa is moving to cut off specific land claims negotiations, leaving Indian bands with a take-it-or-leave-it option on the government’s final offer.
APTN quotes negotiators for First Nations, who did not want to speak on record, as saying they have been informed of the move by negotiators for the federal government.
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One lawyer working for a firm representing several Indian bands tells APTN that the Oct. 16 anniversary of the Specific Claims Tribunal Act has been set as the deadline.
Alan Pratt says that on that date, all previous offers made at the negotiating table by federal officials will be formally revoked.
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APTN has learned that if a First Nation rejects the government’s final offer, the only recourse will be to take the claim before the Specific Claims Tribunal.
That tribunal cannot award more than a total of $250 million each year for all the claims it hears, and is to be phased out after 10 years.
Calls to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development were not immediately returned.
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