The town of Fort Frances and the four First Nations that claim ownership to Point Park have agreed to work together.
Community leaders sign a Joint Declaration of Intent and Friendship that commits to a sharing of the park lands and a willingness to end legal wrangling.
The agreement is not legally binding but sets out a number of goals and objectives they want to achieve.
It includes ongoing discussions with the goal of resolving the Point Park dispute with the aim of resolving outstanding claims and legal proceedings.
Fort Frances Mayor June Caul says the town is committed to resolving its relations with the Agency One bands.
“We promise to work together as partners to ensure any negotiations regarding issues that remain outstanding between Agency One and the town of fort Frances are resolved with mutual respect, with trust and determination to live in peace and harmony,” says Caul.
First Nation leaders also see the signing as a turning point in relations
Naicatchewenin First Nation Chief Wayne Smith says its important to work together because a lot of lot of opportunities has been missed in the past.
“I honestly believe that if people can come together, get the lawyers out of the picture and start talking about real things I like we can really make a good accomplishment,” says Smith.
Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation Chief Will Windigo would like to return the park to its glory days.
“There’s a lot of economic opportunity that I think, which when we sit down and work together and get this agreement hashed out, it’s going to bring a lot of economic opportunity , not to just the First Nations, but it’s gonna bring a lot of employment here to the district. There’s a lot of value in working together,” says Windigo.
Couchiching First Nation Chief Brian Perrault notes they are willing to keep Point Park as a park and share in the operating costs.
