The federal government is compensating for more than a dozen of Saskatchewan’s first nations for the agricultural benefits promised in the treaties signed a long time ago, but it was never provided.
It has also reached a separate agreement with Cumberland House Cree Nation in a land claim.
The Federal Minister of Indigenous Relations and Affairs of the North, Gary Anandasangaree, said at a press conference on Friday that the first 14 nations involved in the agricultural settlement will obtain $ 1.72 billion combined.
“We have an opportunity today as a country and as people to make sure to restore the relationship for the next generation,” said Anandasangaree.
These are the latest examples of what is known as cows and products settlements.
The treaties made promises, including manual tools, such as swords, scitus and axes, as well as larger equipment such as plows, scraps and mountains in boxes, which will be shared among families. Many of these promises were never fulfilled.
“We are currently building our nation basically from scratch, because for a long time we have denied our benefits under the treaty,” said Robert Head of Peter Chapman Band, which is part of James Smith Cree Nation.
Head’s First Nation will receive around $ 46 million. He said the money will be used for trusts, members and infrastructure payments.
“We were not allowed to abandon reservations unless we had a permit or a pass. We were not allowed to sell, you know, the product we grew up in our reservations,” Head said.
“The residential schools, the sixties and, you know, all other policies … all point to the genocidal policies of the Canadian government.”
Head said that compensation is the justice that was very late, since the treaties were signed more than 150 years ago.
Tanya Aguilar-Antiman chief of the first nation of the MANEO of mosquito-longly Bear said that the settlement is an example of reconciliation based on action.
“We have committed some resources to our language, and economic development is a great thing in our community at this time,” said Aguilar-Antiman.
Its first nation will obtain around $ 114 million. She said that part of the money will be trusted in children under 18, so when they turn 18 they have a good advantage.
The first nations that are compensated include:
- Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.
- James Smith Cree Nation #370.
- Little Black Bear First Nation.
- Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation.
- Moosomes First Nation.
- The first nation of the man of the mosquito bear’s head.
- Pasqua First Nation.
- Piapot First Nation.
- Pelican Lake First Nation.
- Poundmaker believes Nation.
- Saulteaux First Nation.
- Sweetgrass First Nation.
- Waterhen Lake first nation.
- Witchekan Lake First Nation.
CUMBERLAND HOUSE CREE Nation establishes land claim
The federal government also reached a land claim settlement of $ 570 million Cumberland House Cree Nation. It is derived from Canada that sells to the land of Cumberland House without consultation or compensation in the 19th century.
“What the funds will also do is provide new programs and help us expand our land base and obtain more control of our resources,” said Rene Chaboyer chief of Cumberland House Cree Nation.
The settlement also allows Cumberland House to add about 110 square kilometers to its earth base.
Chaboyer said in a press release on Friday that it took almost 12 years of negotiation on the land claim that was presented more than 40 years ago.
“Canada must address past errors and work in association with the first nations to rebuild our nation to nation,” Anandasangaree said in a press release.
