The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is applauding an announcement on land claim settlements for the James Smith, Peter Chapman and Chakastaypasin First Nations.
The organization says the federal government has decided to recognize and acknowledge the land claims for the three First Nations.
“These are affirmations of our Inherent and Treaty Rights to this land that was taken and colonized by settlers,” said FSIN chief Bobby Cameron in a media release. “This is the first of many recognitions to come as First Nations people continue to fight the Federal Government for what has always been rightfully ours.”
Chakastaypasin chief Calvin Sanderson says this is a great day for his community after decades of work.
“I started working on this file 33 years ago and our people will finally see recognition of all of the hard work our leadership, community and elders have put into this file” said Sanderson in the release.
The chief now says they will begin putting together committees to work on the negotiations.
The three bands are located east of Prince Albert.
(PHOTO- Chief Calvin Sanderson. Courtesy jamesmithcreenation.com)