Haudenosaunee Development Institute wants Marineland's land in Niagara Falls, Ont.

A group representing the traditional leaders of theHaudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Councilsays it wants Marineland's land.

Aaron Detlor, a lawyer with the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI), told CBC Hamiltonhe plans to write a letter to the Crown that states the land should be set aside "specifically and solely for the use of theHaudenosaunee" becausethe park based in Niagara Falls, Ont.,sits on traditionallands.

And if there is a transfer of land to a different owner, Detlor said HDI needs to be part of the process, like being involved in environmental assessments.

It comes as the theme park,which has been both adoredand criticisedfor its use of aquatic animals, is actively looking for a new owner.

Theattractionsits on traditionallands ofthe Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

HDI has intervened on other activitiesin the region that relate to land use, including Hamilton's attempts to clean up sewage in Chedoke Creek and work to investigate aburial ground that unearthed human remains and Indigenous artifacts in the Niagara Region.

CBC Hamilton contactedSix Nations of the Grand River's elected council andMississaugas of theCredit about Marineland but didn't immediately hear back.

Marinelanddidn't immediately respond to questions from CBC andNiagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodatideclined to comment. Diodati previously said he'd welcome a roller coaster theme park or another attraction that doesn't involve animals.

Detlor said he hasn't had contact with Marineland's owners on the subject.

He said if HDIdid get the land, the Haudenosauneepeople would decide how the land gets used.

"But at the end of the day, we need to ensure there's revenue resourcing available for the people of Six Nations for very specific needs including health, education and water," he said.

"Anything we'd be looking at would be directed at ensuring that it benefits the actual people of Six Nations and other Haudenosaunee people."

He did saythe Haudenosaunee wouldn't continue using aquatic animals the way Marineland has.

The park has come under recent fire after the death of three marine animals since March.

The ministry previously ordered Marineland to fix a broken water system that was leaving animals in distress. Marineland appealed the order and it's unclear what has happened since as neither the park, nor the province, have offered details.

Animal Justice, an animal law advocacy organization,lodged a legal complaintin July 2021 against Marineland's treatment of Kiska, the last captive killer whale in Canada who died in March, accusing the park of breaking the law by not meeting her physical and mental needs.

The complaint followed videos posted by PhilDemers,a former Marineland trainer-turned-whistleblower,that appeared to show Kiska floating listlessly and moving slowly.

Later that same year, Marineland was charged criminally after Animal Justice filed another complaint alleging dolphins were being forced to perform for entertainment despite a national ban.

The charges were stayedin December 2022.