The Couchiching First Nation near Fort Frances, Ontario, Friday erected a toll booth near the west entrance of the Noden Causeway on Highway 11.
Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson boiled the issues down to the government “not living up to their obligations” to the First Nation.
According to the Couchiching First Nation website, the reasons for setting up the toll booth are threefold: lack of compensation for the portion of Highway 11 that runs through the First Nation; lack of response from the government and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada regarding contamination from a sawmill site; and outstanding claims and grievances with the provincial and federal governments.
The Highway 11 compensation issue dates back to erroneous surveying done on property in 1876, according to band leaders. To compensate Couchiching First Nation for the land used for the highway right of way, the provincial government and INAC negotiated to transfer what is known as the “two-chain shore allowance” to the reserve. The 44.5 acres of two-chain land would be transferred in exchange for 33.9 acres of land to be used for the highway.
Of the 44.5 acres, only nine acres of land exists today due to flooding from a local dam constructed in the early 1900s, Couchiching leaders say, and the government attempted to transfer lands they never owned to Couchiching as compensation for a highway right of way.
The Couchiching First Nation is also seeking action regarding contamination on the previous J.A. Mathieu sawmill dipping pond site, which affects at least a half-dozen Harry’s Road residents’ homes and surrounding land. The land was required to be cleaned after the sawmill was removed, but recent tests have shown a high level of potentially toxic dioxins and furans in soil and carpet samples in the area. Remediation has yet to be completed.
McPherson said that an offer from the Ontario provincial government Friday was “not to our satisfaction.” He said that a meeting with the government was set for the week after next, but noted that Couchiching was open to discussion at any time.
Couchiching First Nation band leaders held a meeting April 26 to announce their plans for the toll booth and ask the government for a response to their issues. No offers or discussion were made until the date the booth was erected, McPherson said.
Since the April announcement, McPherson said, the band has received more than 700 threats of violence through online websites, which the Ontario Provincial Police are monitoring.
He notes that the threats of violence were made by members of the surrounding community, not from Couchiching band members. He explained that the band hopes to conduct the toll booth and discussions with the government in a courteous, non-confrontational way.
But, he said, for every derogatory remark made by passersby at the toll booth, there have been an equal or greater number of drivers showing support for their cause, and even donating a few extra dollars.
Charges to pass the toll booth are $1 for passenger or commercial vehicles per crossing, or $25 for a monthly pass.
Exemptions will be made for all emergency vehicles, including but not limited to ambulances, fire, police; school busses; and vehicles carrying a passenger that holds a status card showing Indian heritage. Both the status card and passenger must be present in the vehicle. Couchiching band members may apply for vehicle exemptions.
“We view this as Indian land, and it would be hypocritical to charge an Indian to use his or her land,” McPherson explained.
More information and updates on the toll booth can be found on the Couchiching First Nation website, http://www.couchiching.ca.
