A large Aboriginal lands-claim case in the Gatineau, Que., area will not affect private property, says the chief of the group that has launched the legal action.

The Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg First Nation of Western Quebec’s filing includes a $5-billion lawsuit alleging that the federal and Quebec governments and Hydro-Quebec violated constitutionally protected rights, CBC reported. The Kitigan Zibi decided to seek compensation after the Cowichan Tribes won a key ruling in covering parts of Richmond, B.C. and other southern B.C. areas.“

“Eventually, if the whole Algonquin territory is involved, there will be many private owners on it, Kitigan Zibi Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck told CBC. “I think it’s something that can be resolved at the negotiation table that’s fair to the fee simple owners.

“It’s not to take anything away from them.”

Whiteduck told CBC that he hopes the case will result in an agreement between Kitigan Zibi and the two governments over how to share resources and how to develop the First Nation’s ancestral lands. 

“We’re looking [out] for the welfare of our people and to have our regular place on our homeland,” he told his interviewer. “That’s the main message.”

The National Capital Commission is also a defendant.

Pictured: Gatineau, Que.

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