The communities that make up Agency One are celebrating.
A gathering on Monday at Point Park came after this summer’s court decision that struck down Fort Frances’ attempts to claim ownership of Point Park.
Naicatchewenin First Nation Chief Wayne Smith says now is the time to move forward.
“Let’s try not to think about the history, about the hurts, the ups and downs we went through. That is gone now,” says Smith.
“We’ve got our land back. Let’s build on it, and let’s make something out of it where we’re going to prosper and make a better nation for ourselves moving forward.
The litigation stretched over 30 years, but for the Agency One First Nations, the fight to maintain ownership dates back to when the federal government permitted Fort Frances to obtain a 100-year lease to operate a park.
Mitaanjigamiing First Nation Chief Janice Henderson admits the lawsuit created divisions between First Nations and the town that need to be healed.
“We need to restore and develop a positive relationship with the town and our neighbours so we can move forward in a good way,” says Henderson.
“We need to be kind to each other, and we want to share the park as we have in the past.”
The Agency One First Nations are working on a Land Use Plan, which they say will reflect the priorities of the communities.
A community update provided in July indicates this will include commercial development, recreational spaces, cultural areas and public spaces and infrastructure.
Terry Allen, Chief of Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, envisions the areas being the gathering place it was meant to be.
“I had a vision. In this vision, the beach was lined with canoes. The lands here were being occupied by the people here. They’re being used, and the campfires are going and teaching is happening,” says Allen.
“Well, guess what? We can do that again. This is our time, and we’re going to make those things happen.”
The Chiefs also expressed the importance of working with the town of Fort Frances.
Mayor Andrew Hallikas was on hand to hear the message and later spoke to the Chiefs to acknowledge the importance of working with them.
