Sturgeon Lake First Nation to distribute $30K of settlement to each of 3,250 members
CBC Indigenous: 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.”
What is ‘cows and plows’?
WATCH | CBC Indigenous explains ‘cows and plows’: 8 months ago, Duration 1:35
CBC Indigenous reporter Jennifer Francis simplifies what you need to know about this settlement. Plus, she debunks the myth that cows and plows eliminates your treaty rights.
Click in the following link to view the video:
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.
- Cree lawyer says cows and plows settlements don’t reflect spirit of treaty clause
- Sask. First Nation, Ottawa settle on $90.9M claim for withheld agricultural benefits
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 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dayne Patterson, Reporter
Dayne Patterson is a reporter for CBC News in Saskatchewan and is based in Saskatoon. He has a master’s degree in journalism with an interest in data reporting and Indigenous affairs. Reach him at dayne.patterson@cbc.ca.