Access to pristine island at stake in First Nations deal – Toronto Star

As an agreement looms over the transfer of territory in northern Georgian Bay to the local First Nations community, cottagers and tourists are expressing concern that their access to a pristine piece of Crown land may soon be cut off.

On the one hand, a spokeswoman for the provincial Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs told the Star that Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory plans to develop some of the land on Philip Edward Island — uninhabited Crown land popular with tourists, including Torontonians — as parks, for the continued use of the general public.

But Wiikwemkoong ’s chief said in an interview that a “final determination” on access has not yet been made and will be left up to members of his community.

Ratification of the proposed agreement over the territory, located 100 km south of Sudbury, is expected within the next 18 to 24 months. The government is now in a consultation period and hosting open houses, including one in Toronto on Thursday.