Two Saskatchewan First Nations have settled their Treaty Annuity claims against the federal government.
The Poundmaker Cree Nation and the Sweetgrass First Nation concluded negotiations on September 17, with successful community ratification votes.
The Poundmaker Cree Nation settled for $4.828 million and the Sweetgrass First Nation settled for $6.565 million.
The basis of the claims is that Canada unlawfully withheld treaty annuity payments from the First Nations during the Northwest Rebellion period between 1885 and 1888.
The First Nations were denied $5 per band member for those years. “
Negotiated settlements help right past wrongs, honour treaty obligations and advance reconciliation with First Nations. The Government of Canada has been working with Poundmaker, Sweetgrass and Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nations in a spirit of co-operation and renewal to resolve their outstanding specific claims through negotiations,” Stephanie Palma, Media Relations for Crown-Indigenous Relations said in a statement.
The Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nations recently settled as well and are preparing a payout, expected to be completed before the end of the year.
(Photo courtesy of the Poundmaker Cree Nation website.)