"Aboriginals Demand Settlement Over 1927 Land Deal"

TORONTO (CP) - A long battle by a band of Ontario Chippewas was supported Thursday by the Indian Claims Commission, which recommended their land claim be settled.

The commission agreed with the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point that their 1927 surrender of 33 hectares of land on the shore of Lake Huron was invalid because it was obtained through bribery and fraud.

The Chippewas say they'll go ahead with a $60-million lawsuit against the federal government and area residents unless Ottawa settles the claim.

The band's still awaiting word from the Supreme Court of Canada on whether it will grant it leave to appeal two lower court rulings that found the government did nothing wrong in the 1927 land surrender.