Leaders of this Hastings County municipality had some fears put to rest Tuesday when they met with the chief federal negotiator of the Culbertson Tract native land claim.

Vivian Bercovici met with Deseronto Mayor Norm Clark to discuss how the government will negotiate the return of 923 acres of land to Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

Clark said the meeting eased his concern that the federal government would negotiate the settlement secretly, without keeping his municipality informed.

The Culbertson Tract covers about half of Deseronto. Clark and his council are pushing for a quick settlement to eliminate the uncertainty over the future of the town.

"I'm really pleased with the negotiator," Clark said. "She made a point of saying, we will be kept abreast of what's going on. And she wants ... the public to be kept abreast."

Bercovici met privately with Clark and his council for more than a hour at the Deseronto Arts and Cultural Society. Later she travelled to Tyendinaga Township to meet with Reeve Margaret Walsh. The Culbertson Tract also covers about 400 acres of Tyendinaga Township. Walsh couldn't be reached following the meeting, but had previously expressed concern the federal government was divulging little information on the settlement process.

Bercovici declined an interview with The Intelligencer in between meetings, but said she was in town to introduce herself to civic leaders.

The meetings were not timed to diffuse the tension that peaked last week, when several Mohawks were arrested at roadblocks erected to protest slow progress on the claim.

"I thought it would be appropriate to meet with the mayor and council," she said. "I'm a newly appointed CFN and this meeting was on our agenda weeks ago."

Clark said the meeting allowed the town to address its main concern; that a lengthy settlement process could cripple Deseronto's economy .

"The longer this goes on, the greater the effect on the town as far as tourism and business, especially because of the demonstrations," he said, explaining that council is worried protests could lead tourists to bypass the town this summer.

The answer to how long the settlement might take, however, is still unknown.

"Maybe it will be settled in one year, two years, five years," he said. "She couldn't give a deadline. Maybe it can be settled in a short period of time, but maybe things will happen to make it take longer."

Meanwhile, Deseronto appeared much calmer Tuesday, following days of police presence.

Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Chief R. Donald Maracle said his council was still trying to keep peace Tuesday.

He said about 20 protesters met him at the band office Monday, where he encouraged them to stay calm, since negotiations for the land claim are underway.

"We've made our position known," he said. "Making inflammatory comments only exacerbates the tension and only adds to the potential of people being hurt."

OPP cars were still stationed along Deseronto Road, near the Thurlow Aggregates quarry being occupied by native protesters.

However, no more roadblocks had been erected in the area, and no arrests were announced.

spetrick@intelligencer.ca

Article ID# 1006781