A specific claims tribunal hearing is getting underway this week near Saskatoon over a claim filed by the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation dating back over a hundred years.
The First Nation claims the federal government withheld treaty annuities meant for 14 different First Nations in the wake of the 1885 Riel Rebellion.
The band alleges the government viewed these First Nations as ‘rebel bands’ and used the withholding of funds to control and punish them.
In 2000, Beardy’s and Okemasis filed a claim alleging the government had breached its lawful treaty obligation through the action.
The Specific Claims Tribunal, composed of Superior Court judges, was formed in 2008 with the power to make binding decisions on specific claims which cannot be settled through negotiations.
The tribunal hearings will take place at Wanuskewin Heritage Park all week, beginning Tuesday.