This story is from February (and 2024) but I felt you need to read about how Canada makes $1.72B cows-and-plows settlement with 14 Sask. First Nations
Under treaties 4, 5, 6 and 10, the Crown promised agricultural benefits to First Nations
The federal government is compensating more than a dozen Saskatchewan First Nations for agricultural benefits promised in treaties signed long ago, but never provided.
It has also reached a separate agreement with Cumberland House Cree Nation on a land claim.
Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Gary Anandasangaree said at a news conference Friday that the 14 First Nations involved in the agricultural settlement will get a combined $1.72 billion.
"We have an opportunity today as a country and as a people to make sure that we reset the relationship for the next generation," Anandasangaree said.
These are the latest examples of what's known as cows-and-plows settlements.
The treaties made promises including hand tools such as spades, scythes and axes, as well as bigger equipment like plows, harrows and pit saws, to be shared among families. Many of these promises were never fulfilled.
"We're currently building our nation basically from the ground up, because we have long been denied our benefits under treaty," Chief Robert Head of Peter Chapman Band, which is part of James Smith Cree Nation, said.
Head's First Nation will receive about $46 million. He said that the money will be used for trusts, payments to members and infrastructure.
"We weren't allowed to leave the reserves unless we had a permit or a pass. We weren't allowed to sell, you know, the produce that we grew on our reserves," Head said.
"Residential schools, the Sixties Scoop and, you know, all the other policies … all point to genocidal policies of the Canadian government."
Head said that the compensation is justice that was long overdue, since the treaties were signed over 150 years ago.
Tanya Aguilar-Antiman Chief of Mosquito-Grizzly Bear's Head-Lean Man First Nation said that the settlement is an action-based example of reconciliation.
"We've committed some resources to our language, and economic development is a big thing in our community right now," Aguilar-Antiman said.
Her First Nation will be getting around $114 million. She said some of the money will be put in trust for children under 18, so that when they turn 18 they get a good head start.
The First Nations being compensated include:
- Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.
- James Smith Cree Nation #370.
- Little Black Bear First Nation.
- Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation.
- Moosomin First Nation.
- Mosquito-Grizzly Bear's Head-Lean Man First Nation.
- Pasqua First Nation.
- Piapot First Nation.
- Pelican Lake First Nation.
- Poundmaker Cree Nation.
- Saulteaux First Nation.
- Sweetgrass First Nation.
- Waterhen Lake First Nation.
- Witchekan Lake First Nation.
Sask. First Nation agrees to $152M agricultural settlement with Ottawa
Sturgeon Lake First Nation to distribute $30K of settlement to each of 3,250 members
Sturgeon Lake First Nation says community members have voted in favour of a $152-million settlement over the federal government's reneged agricultural promises as outlined in Treaty 6.
It is among several settlements referred to as "cows and plows" agreements between Saskatchewan First Nation communities and the federal government over the failure to fulfil treaty promises to provide agricultural assistance and tools.
According to a news release from the community, issued Wednesday, Canada did not deliver promised agricultural tools, seeds and livestock that "were crucial for the community's economic development and self-sufficiency."
"We haven't been able to do a lot of things within our community … because we haven't had the funding for that," Sturgeon Lake Chief Christine Longjohn said Thursday.
"So this is a huge step and it promises a brighter future, you know, for the generation now, but also the generations ahead."
The Cree community, located about 146 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, has about 3,250 members.
Longjohn said each registered member alive on the date of the ratification vote, which ran from July 22 to July 26, will receive $30,000 of the total settlement. Funds for minors will go into a trust until they are 18.
Of the remainder, $36 million is being put into a legacy trust fund, $12 million into a community development fund and the rest toward ratification costs, loan payment, legal fees and the legacy account, she said.
"With the legacy fund, that is going to ensure there is always funds available for the community for generations to come," Longjohn said.
A news release from the community said 51 per cent of eligible members voted, with 88 per cent voting in favour.
Now that the ratification vote is complete, Longjohn said the First Nation council can sign the agreement, which will then go to Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree to sign on behalf of Canada.
The process of signing the agreement and delivering the money is expected to take about six months, according to the First Nation. The federal government said the compensation will be paid within 45 days of the agreement being signed.
According to data from the federal government website, more than $729 million has been paid to Saskatchewan First Nation communities in similar settlements, including certain situations where the government did not provide promised ammunition and twine.
In an email, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada spokesperson Ryan Tyndall said each settlement is negotiated separately and considers several factors.
"We are very pleased that the First Nation's membership has approved the proposed settlement, which will help to renew our relationship with and advance reconciliation with the First Nation," the email said.
"The Government of Canada has no involvement in how a First Nation uses settlement monies. First Nations can use their settlements to invest in community priorities and initiatives as they see fit."
READ MORE: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/1-72-billion-cows-and-plows-deal-1.7465807
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