It’s been a seventeen year long negotiation but it appears at least a partial settlement has been reached on what’s known as the Culbertson land tract, over 900 acres of
land in the Tyendinaga/Deseronto area.
Over 95% of 2,045 Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte members voted in favour of a partial settlement over two days of voting ending Saturday.
The partial settlement, once signed off on by the federal government, turns over 299 acres of land to the control and administration of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
The land in question is on the west side of Deseronto Road and is the farm of Terry Kimmett. Mohawk Chief R. Don Maracle says the federal government will have to deal with any claims made by Kimmett.
Also the partial agreement will see the federal government transfer over $25 million to the Tyendinaga Mohawks as compensation for the loss of use of the land for over 180 years and Maracle says community consultation will be taking place on how best to use that money.
Chief Maracle was pleased with the voter turnout and response but says the partial settlement does not have anything to do with the remaining 623 acres of the Tract and
negotiations will continue on that as land becomes available.
