September 13, 2016 marked Day 1 of a four-week hearing at the Ontario Municipal Board. Donnelly Law represents Curve Lake First Nation and the Friends of the Fraser Wetlands Inc. ("FFW"). Curve Lake First Nation and FFW are united in their opposition to the proposed development on the 200+ hectare property near Burleigh Falls, which is connected to the Teaching Rocks (Petroglyphs Provincial Park), an international sacred site.
A first: the OMB will move on to the Curve Lake First Nation for evidence from Elders and a professor of cultural landscapes/archaeology from Trent University. Donnelly Law successfully argued a motion to move the hearing on-reserve, so those most impacted by the Aboriginal cultural heritage issues can attend and give evidence.
The protection of an Aboriginal cultural heritage landscape and natural is at stake. The OMB will hear from Curve Lake First Nation Elders, ecologists, First Nation botanist, land use planners, a professor of archaeology and others over the 19-day hearing. The Township of North Kawartha is opposed to the application, and will call its land use planner. Read about the issues for the hearing here.