Pic Mobert First Nation Membership Overwhelmingly Approve Land Deal
“On this day we begin to reclaim the lands that are rightfully ours”, said Pic Mobert First Nation Chief Johanna Desmoulin on announcing the overwhelming support from band members for a proposed land deal with Ontario and Canada.
PIC MOBERT FIRST NATION, ON – Chief Johanna Desmoulin stated on the evening of June 21st, 2014 that over 98% of the participating eligible voters had voted in favour of approving the deal, which will add an additional 16 sq km of lands to the land strapped community of approximately 400 residents. 217 eligible voters casted votes, of which 214 voted “YES”.
The vote, held on National Aboriginal Day, marked a critical milestone in over 23 years of negotiations with Canada and Ontario in a special process known as the Land and Larger Land Base, first approved by Pic Mobert and several other First Nations in 1991.
Chief Desmoulin thanked the Band Membership for their support of the deal, and acknowledged the work of former Chiefs and Councils, staff and advisors who initiated and participated in moving the process over the last two decades.
“This land allows us to create a future for our children”, said Chief Johanna Desmoulin.
RELATED LINKS
- Milestone Reached on Land Base Expansion for Pic Mobert First Nation (March 2014)
- Gitchi Animki Hydroelectric Project Breaks Ground (October 2013)
- Chief Declares Pic Mobert First Nations’ Resolve To Forcefully Defend Thier Territory + Info Re: Nipigon Rally (January 2013)
- First Nations Protest Peacefully in Northwestern Ontario on Highway and Alongside Railway (January 2013)
- Interview with Chief Johanna Desmoulin re:Idle No More and defending traditional lands
