OTTAWA - More than once over the last century, without due process or compensation, the Woodstock First Nation lost land.

In 1910, it was five acres the band never surrendered; in 1915, it was a small plot for a rail line; in 1966, it was 2.5 acres flooded by the head pond for the Mactaquac hydro dam.

Tuesday, the Woodstock First Nation moved beyond those old grievances.

Members of the band lined up to get cheques as part of a $2.5 million compensation payment Ottawa has made to settle the land claim.

Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl and Chief Jeff Tomah signed the agreement Tuesday at the Maliseet reserve - a narrow strip of land between the TransCanada Highway and the St. John River, a few kilometers south of Woodstock.

"A good chunk of change went out to every adult member," said Strahl, estimating the amount at just over $1,200 per person.

The settlement also sets aside money to allow the Woodstock First Nation to buy up to 10 acres of land to add to its reserve - land the community wants to use for economic development, says a background document from Indian Affairs.

Tomah and Maliseet chief negotiator Rick Hatchette could not be reached for comment.

The land has to be within a specified area the government and First Nation negotiated. No landowner will be compelled to sell.

The Woodstock claim is the fourth to be settled in New Brunswick in the last year - "an unprecedented achievement in the Atlantic region," said Strahl.

Still, the settlement had taken so long, he held it out as an example of why he's pushing legislation that will create a new tribunal to settle similar claims.

"What happened on this Woodstock case which was 25 years of negotiation," said Strahl.

"It's just too long. It causes bitterness and is held out as an example of what's wrong with government.

"And it is what's wrong with government - it simply takes too long."

Under the Specific Claims Tribunal Act, First Nations could opt to send a claim to a panel of judges whose decision will be final, and who will have funding set aside to make compensation payments.

"By having that tribunal in place, it gives negotiators a sense of urgency," said Strahl.

The minister will be in Madawaska to sign another land claim agreement today while others in New Brunswick are "imminent," he said.

"There are still others that are a few years away," he said.

Strahl said he's consistently hearing from chiefs that First Nations communities want to pursue economic development.

"They make it part of every meeting I have with them across the country," said Strahl.

"I heard that from several different chiefs today and I heard it from the chief and council in Woodstock today. I'm sure I'll hear it in Madawaska tomorrow.

"Economic development - being able to develop your own sources of revenue - is a sign of a reserve that wants to make it on its own."

Indian Affairs got funding in the last budget to create an economic development framework, he said, and the department has also appointed an economic development board. It is chaired by Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos, B.C., band, which runs 10 successful businesses - including a construction firm, a logging operation, an eco-tourism campground, a 120-room hotel and a vineyard.

Louie's reserve enjoys nearly full employment.

"We're emphasizing (economic development) every chance we get," said Strahl.

"It reinforces what we hear in the field - that people are saying 'we can't wait for Indian Affairs to find us a business opportunity - we have to do it ourselves.'

"(Indian Affairs) can help but it has to be driven by the local economy and local realities."