[2] In 2009. the Government of Canada accepted the Tobique Specific Land Claim related to 10,533 acres (4,263 ha) which was lost in the invalid surrender of 1892.

[4] In 1890 the government of New Brunswick attempted to open a large portion of the Tobique Reserve for settlement by non-Aboriginal peoples.

The surrender concerned land "south of the Tobique river saving and excepting a tract of two hundred acres on the south-side designated as Indian Meadows."

[4][5] On May 23, 2008 Canada accepted only the second as the Tobique Specific Land Claim for negotiation on the basis of its lawful obligation due to an invalid surrender.

[7] On June 30, 2009, the provincial Minister of Aboriginal Affairs committed to funding the clean-up of toxic and other wastes dumped at and around the dam, as well as restoration of eroded riverbanks, further damages noted by the Tobique.

[9] The dams on the St. John's River have drastically reduced the Atlantic Salmon run, cutting into the ability of the Tobique to feed themselves and adversely affecting the local economy.

[6] As the blockade entered its third month in the summer of 2009, the federal government's Department of Justice accepted the Tobique First Nation’s specific land claim for negotiation.

The Tobique wish to negotiate some sharing of benefits from the dam, with some portion of electricity available at least to reserve residents but preferably also for resale.

[6][9] A deal was reached in December 2009 to share electricity, remediate the dump site and provide training for First Nation members to work at the dam.