Forester’s Island
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Chief R. Don Maracle has been asking for 15 years to have Forester’s Island repatriated as part of their territory and on Tuesday night he made the ask of Prince Edward County council again.
Chief Maracle spoke during a regular council meeting and noted he did make the same ask of the municipality in 2005.
The small island, located just south of Deseronto in Mohawk Bay, is now under the jurisdiction of Prince Edward County.
Forester’s Island has a long history involving the Mohawks according to Chief Maracle.
Councillor Bill Roberts brought forward a motion asking for a staff report detailing what the next steps would be to repatriate the island to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
That report is expected by the end of January 2021.
County to implement program celebrating Indigenous persons
Council in Prince Edward County is setting aside funds in next year’s budget to develop, implement and promote a program that celebrates local Indigenous persons.
The motion was approved during the regular council meeting on Tuesday night.
The funds would be part of the Community and Economic Development Commission budget to help celebrate National Indigenous Month in June 2021.
Council will be working with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte to build a new era of cultural and economic development opportunities between the two municipalities, as well as an annual meeting in June between the two councils.
Long term financing
Prince Edward County has passed a motion to secure long-term financing.
Council is seeking a $4.7 million loan application to the Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation for fleet, LED streetlights and and the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital grant.
Council authorized a $4.5 million grant to the PECMH capital campaign to support the construction of the new hospital.
