Ottawa and Alta First Nation sign agreement-in-principle on $300M land claim
Fri Oct 12, 5:42 PM
By The Canadian Press
WABASCA, Alta. - Alberta's Bigstone Cree have signed an agreement-in-principle with the provincial and federal governments that would entitle the First Nation to almost $300 million and almost 570 square kilometres of land.
The Bigstone are calling it the largest land-claim settlement in Alberta and one of the largest in Canada.
The agreement means all sides will work to finalize the settlement, which stems from a treaty signed in the late 1800s.
Ottawa would put in $236.5 million for treaty obligations, other costs and improved housing and infrastructure.
Alberta would contribute the land as well as money to build two schools and two water treatment plants.
Bigstone Cree Nation includes the communities of Calling Lake, Chipewyan Lake, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake in northern Alberta.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/071012/national/cree_land_agreement
