Why settling land claims is important

Ontario has been settling claims with Indigenous communities since 1983.

Finding negotiated solutions allows Ontario to resolve historic grievances by working with Canada and Indigenous negotiation partners to reach agreements that reflect the local environment.

Settling claims through co-operative negotiations and respectful dialogue is a key step towards reconciliation with Indigenous people.

In addition to fulfilling Ontario’s legal obligations, agreements bring economic benefits and opportunities for Indigenous and neighbouring communities, strengthened relationships and certainty for all people of Ontario.

Land claims, treaty claims, land-related and other agreements

Since 1983, 65 land claims and other agreements have been reached.

This timeline is consistent with the listing published by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario in December 2020. It was updated by the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs in March 2024. Where required, information has been excluded or aggregated due to confidentiality agreements.

Learn more about Canada’s contributions to settlements.

Table 1: Settled land claims and other agreements in Ontario since 1983

Land claimSettlement yearLand (acres)Province ($ million)
Naicatchewenin First Nation (Flooding)2024N/A10.01
Northwest Angle #33 First Nation (Flooding)2023N/A19.25
Big Grassy River First Nation (Flooding)2023N/A18.99
Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation (Flooding)2023N/A18.99
Animakee Wa Zhing #37 (Northwest Angle #37) First Nation (Flooding)2023N/A36.69
Lac La Croix First Nation (Treaty Land Entitlement)2023N/A13.11
Seine River First Nation (Flooding)2023N/A60.73
Matachewan First Nation (Treaty Land Entitlement)20235,027.70.59
Naotkamegwanning First Nation (Flooding)2022N/A20.42
Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation (Flooding)2022N/A40.49
Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation (Flooding)2022N/A19.84
Mitaanjigamiing First Nation (Flooding)2022N/A39.40
Ipperwash Land Transfer Agreement2020113N/A
Flying Post First Nation2019N/A14.00
Garden River Settlement2019N/A9.69
Williams Treaties First Nations2018N/A444.00
Pagwaasheeng (Pays Plat)20184,078N/A
Mitaanjigamiing (Treaty Land Entitlement)20174,1351.80
Lac des Milles Lac2017N/A43.83
Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay)20164,480N/A
Shawanaga2015N/A4.00
Chapleau Cree20159,8840.35
Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert)20143,954N/A
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation2011N/A27.00
Missanabie Cree Land Transfer20109,600N/A
Fort William Boundary201011,5055.20
Michipicoten Boundary Claim20073,293N/A
Neyaashiinigmiing (Chippewas of Nawash) Nochemowenaing (Hunter's Point)2007122.80
Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point)20062,433N/A
Rainy River First Nation200514,92430.11
Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinabek (Lake Nipigon Ojibway)20053,138N/A
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Turton Penn claim)2004N/A1.20
Wahta Mohawks (Gibson)20028,3003.79
Thessalon2000N/A.45
Cat Lake20003,479N/A
Mishkosiminiziibiing (Big Grassy River)19996501.50
Mishkosiimiiniiziibing and Ojibways of Onigaming (Assabaska)19992,7001.57
Whitefish River19971,850N/A
Grand River Notification Agreement1996N/AN/A
Wiikwemkoong (Wikwemikong)199524,0000.30
Nipissing199532,864N/A
Eabametoong (Fort Hope)1995N/AN/A
Brunswick House1995N/A2.00
Shoal Lake Watershed1994N/A0.18
Garden River199423,1006.35
Mississauga #8 Northern Boundary199440,0005.62
Aamjiwnaang (Chippewas of Sarnia)1994N/A9.00
Six Nishnawbe—Aski Nation (NAN) Bands1991150,464N/A
Wabaseemoong Independent Nations (Islington Band of Saulteaux) Ontario Ossington-Islington MOU1991N/AN/A
United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising—Manitoulin19909,4447.28
Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows) and Wabaseemoong Independent Nations (Islington) Wabigoon River Systems Mercury Contamination1985N/A2.17
Wabaseemoong Independent Nations (Islington Band of Saulteaux)1983N/A8.80
SubtotalN/A373,427.7931.50

Table 2: Aggregated settled land claims in Ontario since 1983

Land claimSettlement yearLand (acres)Province ($ million)
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte2022N/AN/A
Agency 1 — Couchiching, Mitaanjigaming, Naicatchewenin, Nigigoonsiminikaaning2018N/AN/A
Whitefish River2017N/AN/A
Rainy River2015N/AN/A
Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation2015N/AN/A
Mishkosiimiinizibing (Big Grassy River)2015N/AN/A
Chapleau Ojibwe2015N/AN/A
Mishkeegogamang Ojibway and Slate Falls2013N/AN/A
Whitesand First Nation2011N/AN/A
Wabaseemoong Independent First Nation2011N/AN/A
Red Rock Settlement2011N/AN/A
Couchiching2011N/AN/A
Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage)2009N/AN/A
SubtotalN/A14,01768.81
TotalN/A387,444.71000.31