Canada, Alderville First Nation and City of Belleville Celebrate Important Milestone

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Belleville, Ontario (August 6, 2010) – Member of Parliament Rick Norlock, on behalf of the Government of Canada, and Mayor Neil Ellis of the City of Belleville participated in a special ceremony today hosted by Chief James Marsden of the Alderville First Nation. The ceremony, held in Belleville, commemorated the First Nation's past presence in the City of Belleville, as well as the resolution of their specific claim.   

“Today's event is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievement made through negotiations and collaboration to resolve this claim and to celebrate the Alderville First Nation's longstanding presence in the area,” said MP Norlock. “Canada is committed to resolving specific claims for the benefit of all Canadians and it is by working together that we can find the solutions needed to make that progress.”

“We are honoured to be here today as it gives us the opportunity to share a little piece of our history and we would like to thank the City of Belleville who has provided a prominent space within the Jane Forrester Park for the dedication plaque which outlines the contributions of our Grape Island ancestors and will serve as a reminder to area visitors and residents of Belleville of our connection and contributions to the Bay of Quinte area,” said Chief Marsden.

“We are happy the City has been able to assist with organizing today's great event and we are pleased to host for prosperity the commemorating plaque reflecting the significant role of the First Nation here and the agreement as achieved by the First Nation and Canada,” said Mayor Ellis.

The Government of Canada and the Alderville First Nation resolved the Thurlow Purchase Specific Claim on March 4, 2010. The basis of the claim is that the First Nation did not receive compensation for surrendered lands and the Crown failed to protect the First Nation burial grounds from disturbance. This settlement provided the First Nation with $734,852 in financial compensation. The settlement also included the possibility for the First Nation to build a memorial plaque to commemorate their history and past burial ground in present-day Belleville. In exchange for this compensation, the First Nation provided Canada with full and final releases that ensure the claim can never be re-opened.

The First Nation and the City of Belleville worked together to identify a location for the monument. Today's celebration helps to reconcile the past with the present and creates common ground for a shared future. In addition, the settlement was negotiated in less than two years.

The Alderville First Nation was historically located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, but is now located 21 kilometres southeast of Peterborough, Ontario.

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