The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte have achieved a partial settlement with the Federal Government of the land claim involving the Culbertson Tract.

The announcement was made on Monday that just under 300 acres were being transferred and will now be considered reserve land.

More than 600 acres of the Culbertson Tract claim are still being negotiated.

The settlement will also provide the First Nation with compensation totaling $30,974,864

Details of the original claim, agreement and continuing negotiations are included in the release below.

RELEASE - October 3, 2022 — The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Today, Chief R. Donald Maracle with the Council of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced the conclusion of a partial settlement agreement regarding the Culbertson Tract Specific Claim.

The specific claim arises from the unlawful 1837 alienation of 923.4 acres of unsurrendered land, known as the Culbertson Tract, in breach of the Simcoe Deed (which the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte assert to be a treaty).

Canada and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte have reached a full and final settlement of a 299.43 acre portion of the Culbertson Tract Specific Claim. Through an arrangement with the fee simple owner on a willing buyer/willing seller basis, this land will be confirmed as reserve land.

Today’s partial settlement agreement is without prejudice to the balance of the Culbertson Tract Specific Claim. Canada and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte look forward to continuing those negotiations. Achieved through dialogue and cooperation, this historic settlement agreement will help address an illegal alienation of reserve land. The Government of Canada is committed to working with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte in the spirit of partnership and reconciliation. Honouring Canada’s legal obligations to First Nations and working collaboratively to renew relationships are key to righting historical wrongs to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and the #GC are pleased to announce the partial settlement of a longstanding specific claim regarding the alienation of hundreds of acres of reserve land.

Quotes “This is a significant day for our community and in our history. Our original Mohawk Tract has been greatly reduced by surrenders and other alienations, many of which are suspicious and, in this case, simply illegal. With the signing of the Culbertson Tract Partial Settlement Agreement, we have demonstrated that it is possible to reverse this trend and to reaffirm administration and control of our land illegally taken from us. We look forward to continuing the work on having the remaining 623.4 acres of the Culbertson Tract restored to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.” R. Donald Maracle Chief, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte

“This historic settlement with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte shows what we can achieve when we work together to reach shared solutions guided by the values of respect and partnership. We acknowledge Canada’s failure to protect your community’s right to your land, and we reaffirm our commitment to addressing this wrong. This settlement is an important step forward to help create new opportunities for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte to advance their ongoing work to improve community well-being.” The Honourable Marc Miller Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations