Thanks, GUEST. I should point out the first sentence of para 2 should read "... southeast OF where the Saint John and Tobique Rivers meet."

I am aware of the claims AND the shame. The "claims" of this band extend far further into history and extend beyond those against the European "Settlers". But there ain't no way I am gettin into that for two reasons. I do not know the history and it's a very contentious and "private" issue.

I'll only add that negotiation of such claims by the feds limits compensation in such a way that should make everyone's blood boil. If someone offered you, as a Native, a pittance for a piece of land that, if freeheld could be sold for FAR more, wouldn't it make your blood boil?

I have often thought, what if the Native claims proposed a provision in which the land was returned to the care and trust of the Natives and THEY collected the property taxes as set forth by the Provincial government for freeheld land and THEY collected timber stumpage and THEY decided where lumbering would take place and THEY collected mining royalties and THEY...

Ya see where I am going with this? Of course, I can't see such a reasonable (?) approach ever being accepted by the guys with the guns employed by Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada for it is written, in blood, don't fuck with The Crown.