Historic milestone with proposed settlement of Hog Island Specific Claim

PEI Mi’kmaq have reached an historic milestone with a proposed settlement of the Hog Island Specific Claim.  “Specific claims” are claims made by a First Nation against the federal government which relate to the administration of land and other First Nation assets and to the fulfilment of historic treaties and other agreements. The Hog Island Claim arose from a purchase of lands in 1942 by Canada for the purpose of adding the lands to the Lennox Island Band reserve. Canada failed to do so, and the specific claim was filed as a result.  The Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations communities have accepted a $17.5-million settlement offer from the federal government.  It must be successfully ratified by a community vote, but a date for the vote has not yet been set.