By Danielle Dufour
MBC News Freelance Correspondent
First Nations University of Canada
George Gordon First Nation members received some good news on November 24, 2025: the Cows and Plows settlement agreement was signed off by the federal government.
“I got a call from the Minister of CIRNAC (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada) at 10:50 a.m., Rebecca Alty,” said Chief Shawn Longman in a Facebook post. “She has signed the settlement agreement.”
The settlement was for the breach of Treaty 4 obligations by the federal government, which promised agriculture benefits like livestock and farming equipment that were not provided.
Confirmation of the settlement amount will be posted on the Federal Government Public Reporting Site, which will not happen until the settlement is paid out.
In April 2025, the George Gordon First Nation members voted in favour to approve the settlement agreement.
The office of Minister Alty sent this comment in response to the agreement signed November 24th:
“Crown-Indigenous Relations and George Gordon First Nation have now signed an agreement resolving the Nation’s agricultural benefit claim. Agricultural benefits settlement agreements address Canada’s historical failure to deliver promised farming tools, seeds, and livestock—a broken Treaty obligation that affected economic development in these communities.
Agricultural benefits claims are a critical part of advancing reconciliation, as they help to renew relationships and create new opportunities for First Nations to invest in a brighter future for their communities.” explained Alec Wilson, Press Secretary for the Office of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.
This settlement comes after a lengthy waiting period due to a motion that was filed with the Federal Court to seek approval of the cows and plows settlement and make changes to a separate Federal Court action regarding agricultural benefits.
The court order was issued in late October approving the settlement.
Within 45 days of the signing by Minister Alty, the funds for the settlement agreement will be transferred to the First Nations trust account, to then be distributed to the membership.
There are approximately 4000 George Gordon First Nation reserve and urban members.
“As of November 25, 2025, there have been 57 agricultural benefits claim settlements in Treaties 4, 5, 6, and 10, amounting to $7.5 billion in compensation to First Nations.” stated Alec Wilson, Press Secretary for the Office of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.