Photo: Cowessess First Nation Leadership Announcement Livestream Screenshot from Facebook
Cowessess First Nation Chief Erica Beaudin has announced that the federal government is prepared to offer the nation $440 million dollars to settle its long-standing 1907 land claim.
In a message to community members Wednesday, Chief Beaudin said she received a phone call from Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty confirming the federal cabinet had authorized the offer.
“This is a moment for our ancestors,” Chief Beaudin said. “It is my absolute honour to announce today on behalf of our council about a wrong that has finally been made right by the Government of Canada.”
The claim stems from events in 1907, when Cowessess First Nation alleges land was taken illegally from the nation. Community leaders have pursued recognition and compensation for decades, relying on oral histories passed down through generations to document the loss.
“Our people always knew that this wrong had occurred,” Chief Beaudin said. “We are the lucky ones. We get to see the conclusion of this claim, but we are by far not the only ones who brought this forward.”
The chief said the offer reflects an agreement reached in principle in 2023 and confirmed the amount remains unchanged.
The settlement process is not yet complete
Chief Beaudin emphasized that Cowessess citizens will ultimately decide whether to accept the proposed agreement through a community ratification vote.
Cowessess leadership plans to work with legal counsel to hold information sessions in major urban centres and within the community before a vote is held.
“The government has done their job in giving us an amount and willing to acknowledge that historical wrong,” Chief Beaudin said. “It is up to us now. We can no longer blame the government.”
She said the responsibility now rests with community members to determine how the settlement could benefit future generations.
Beaudin also acknowledged the many chiefs, councils, elders, senators and community members whose efforts over decades helped bring the claim to this stage.
“I want to acknowledge the ones who silently supported or actively worked towards the government accepting the claim,” she said.
The chief also thanked the nation’s legal team and negotiating staff for their work over the past several years.
According to Beaudin, Cowessess was one of eight high-value claims under consideration by Canada and is the first among them to receive a settlement offer.
She added that discussions continue regarding agricultural benefits, commonly known as the “cows and plows” claim. Federal officials have reiterated their commitment to resolving that issue alongside the 1907 land claim, Chief Beaudin said.
If both matters are successfully settled, Chief Beaudin said the total compensation could exceed $700 million.
“This is not the government giving us money,” she said. “This is what we lost. This is what we deserve.”
Chief Beaudin said any future settlement funds could help support economic development, housing, education, entrepreneurship and health initiatives for generations to come.
While urging members to be patient as the process unfolds, she said council remains committed to ensuring citizens have the final say on both the settlement agreement and the trust structure that would govern any compensation received.
“Our commitment is to ensure your voice will be heard,” Chief Beaudin said.