The Robinson-Huron Treaty payments are expected to be life changing, hopefully for the better

CBC Indigenous: Members of the 21 Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations will soon be receiving a life changing amount of money. A $10-billion dollar settlement to be more exact.

This money is being paid equally by the Ontario and federal government for past annuities owed for the use of their lands. In 1850, the Crown promised annual payments that were never made.

But with more money comes more problems. 

While this money will likely make incredible and positive changes to these First Nation’s lives, there’s a risk they could be targeted by bad actors. 

Earl Commanda is the Executive Director of the Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin, a group charting the future of the Robinson-Huron Treaty. He told CBC Radio’s Morning North that beneficiaries should look out for possible frauds and scams.

“There’s going to be a lot of negative impacts with the potential drug abuse, frauds and scams from all sides. There’s the usual telephone fraud. All we’re trying to do is to get ready for when that happens.”

He says he’s opened the door for organizations in the area — and Sudbury’s police services — to host financial literacy programs. 

Drug and safety concerns

James Killeen is the Chief of Police at UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service, which covers six First Nations on Manitoulin Island along Highway 6. He told Morning North that his biggest concern is an increase in drug use.

He says that for community members who are involved who are already the victims of drug addiction, large cash payments may exacerbate those issues. He says there’s no way to control that other than to offer support through drug addiction counselling and making sure people have the support they need.

“They’re suddenly going to be faced with an amount of money that can make those kinds of controlled substances more readily available for them,” he says. 

Fraud and elder abuse are two other issues Killeen and his force are focusing on in preparation for the settlement. He says people need to come to the police if they think they’re being scammed.

“We are doing education symposiums on elder abuse and fraud,” he says. “[We’re] making sure that people understand that they need to come to the police and that they should not be giving away personal information and financial information.”

Commanda says while his initiative has been working together with tribal councils, First Nations police forces and child welfare groups on information sessions, there’s also a provincial responsibility to keep beneficiaries safe.

“Fifty per cent or more of our members live in the towns and in the cities in the area. So this is why I’m applauding Greater Sudbury for taking on the police service, for taking on this task of trying to assist beneficiaries who live in towns and cities.

He says he’s hoping similar support will be offered in Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Parry Sound, Elliot Lake and all the other major towns in the treaty territory.

Not the end of negotiations

While $10-billion dollars is an unfathomable amount of money, Commanda says many communities understand that the treaty is still ongoing, and the annuity payments haven’t increased since 1875.

With the payout negotiations sorted, he says part of their task now is to begin educating community members about the history of the treaty and about what’s happening with the settlement.

Commanda says his organisation has a separate process in the works to figure out what the $4 payment should more accurately be in the current day and age. 

“It’s only increased once in our history from 1850 from $2.00 to $4.00 in 1875. It hasn’t gone up since.”

With files from Morning North