First Nation sues for title to massive, scenic swath of Ontario and $90B as landmark trial starts

TORONTO — A massive Aboriginal claim over some of the most picturesque geography in Ontario triggered a landmark trial Thursday, with a large contingent of lawyers politely starting a delicate dance over contentious issues of land, treaty rights and money.

Before Judge Wendy Matheson arrived, two Aboriginal men wended their way through the bustle to the front of court carrying a two-metre long wooden staff, draped in seven eagle feathers and topped by a carving of a bald eagle, and erected it to the left of where the judge would sit. The second is that the Crown breached its fiduciary trust to protect and preserve the territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, referred to in court as SON and consisting of four reserves and a population of 1,900. As a fix, SON seeks compensation, which amounts to, by its accounting, $80 billion in restitution and $10 billion in punitive damages.

“Fishing is essential for their way of life and economic activity. Water is very important to them. Some say it’s even more important than the dry land part,” said Townshend. The suit is opposed by the federal and provincial governments as well as several municipal governments caught in the crossfire.

“Our system requires that evidence be tested, so we will be cross-examining witnesses,” Feliciant told court. “Our cross examination should not be taken as a sign that we do not respect the positions taken by the plaintiffs or the evidence of their witnesses.

Unbelieveable. 90 billion. Whatever

90 Billion isn't a lot of money compared to what has been lost since settlers

What a bunch of A-holes. And they wonder why the people in town think they’re assholes. The reserve has a population of 1,900. What are they going to do with it? Seriously. All this will do is drive more business from an already struggling area.

Maybe deduct the money paid out, I am sure it will be more than 80 billion 😂

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