OTTAWA - Ottawa is moving to present what it calls "final offers" in dozens of First Nations land claim negotiations that have been dragging on for years.
A senior Aboriginal Affairs official says any specific land claim that has been under active consideration for three years or longer will receive a final offer.
The official says if the First Nations in question don't want to put the final offer to band members for approval, they can seek a binding ruling before the Specific Claims Tribunal -- or they can take Ottawa to court.
First Nations chiefs are concerned because the tribunal is only authorized to agree to $250 million in settlements per year, for 10 years, and no settlement can be bigger than $150 million.
First Nations officials say specific claims can run anywhere from $3 million to well over $150 million.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs says aboriginal anger is rising across Canada over the plan.
He says it's deceitful of Ottawa to suggest it is committed to resolving claims, then make low-ball offers that First Nations will be forced to reject.
