The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation is moving toward negotiations with the federal government over a Treaty 82 claim involving three properties in Owen Sound that they say were transferred to the city for one dollar each more than a century ago.
In a community update, Nawash said the properties were supposed to be sold for the First Nation's benefit under Treaty 82, which was signed in 1857.
Instead, Nawash says three parcels known as Market Square, Queen's Square and St. George's Square were transferred to the City of Owen Sound in 1911 for one dollar each.
Nawash identifies the properties today as St. Julien's Park, Tom Williams Park and Kinsmen Park.
"Instead of selling the lands, Canada transferred ownership of the Squares to the City of Owen Sound in 1911 for one dollar each," the update states.
The City of Owen Sound currently operates St. Julien's, Tom Williams and Kinsmen as municipal park and recreation properties.
Nawash says it is seeking equitable compensation from Canada for the loss of use of the properties and their present land value.
According to the First Nation, the claim was submitted to the federal specific claims process in April 2022. Canada completed its review in September 2025 and offered to enter negotiations.
Nawash Chief and Council then passed resolutions in July 2026 to move forward with negotiations and apply for federal funding to support the process.
"These discussions mark an important milestone after years of work," the First Nation said. "Nawash has been working to get these issues addressed for more than 30 years."
Specific claims deal with allegations that Canada failed to meet legal obligations involving historic treaties, First Nation lands or other assets. Claims accepted for negotiation can be settled outside court, while unresolved claims can in certain circumstances proceed to the independent Specific Claims Tribunal.
Nawash cautions that reaching a negotiated settlement is not guaranteed.
If negotiators eventually agree on a proposed settlement, the First Nation says it would have to be approved by both Canada and Nawash, including through a ratification vote by Nawash members.
The Owen Sound properties are one of three Treaty 82 claims currently being pursued.
Nawash is also discussing road allowances in the former Sarawak Township, now part of Georgian Bluffs, which it says were transferred to municipalities without being sold for its benefit.
Some of those properties became roads, while others, including some shoreline road allowances, were never opened as roads.
Those discussions involve both Canada and Ontario.
A third claim concerns a one-acre burial reserve that Nawash says was promised under Treaty 82 but was never fully set aside.
Ontario's current land claims registry confirms that Nawash submitted a Treaty 82 claim to the province in 2014 alleging that surrendered reserve lands remained unsold and that the First Nation did not receive its full entitlement to the promised one-acre burial ground reserve.
Nawash says Canada and Ontario have agreed to negotiations over the burial reserve issue, although the exact locations of two quarter-acre portions still need to be determined.
