Urban Indian Willing To Trade Status For Cash

Urban Indian Willing To Trade Status For Cash

Thursday, August 18, 2005 at 14:45

A member of the Gordon First Nation in southern Saskatchewan says status Indians should be able to exchange their treaty rights for a lump sum settlement.

According to the Regina Leader-Post, Dennis Pratt is willing to give up his Indian status because he says he hasn’t been able to get treaty benefits from his band.

Pratt lives off-reserve, and says the only thing his status card seems to be good for is tax exemptions on tobacco and gas.

A spokesman for Indian Affairs advises Pratt to discuss his concerns with his band chief and council, noting that the department has never had to handle this type of request before.