The Government of Canada is renewing relationships between the Crown and First Nations by addressing Canada’s failure to provide First Nations with the agricultural provisions promised under Treaties 4, 5, 6, and 10.
Today, Chief Delbert Wapass of Thunderchild First Nation and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced the settlement agreement, which was achieved under an expedited framework process. The First Nation will receive $155,400,000 in compensation.
Under Treaty 6, Canada promised ploughs, seeds for important crops, livestock such as cows and bulls, and other farming necessities. These agricultural benefits were meant to facilitate the transition to agricultural economy and, as a result of Canada’s failure to fulfil Treaty promises, these First Nations did not have the equipment needed to support their members.
Through the expedited resolution strategy for agricultural benefit claims, Canada has provided a total of $2,093,205,226 to First Nations in the western provinces since May 2023.
The socio-economic gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada are the result of decades of colonial policies, which often led to the denial and dispossession of land and resources.
Honouring Canada's legal obligations and properly compensating Indigenous Peoples for what was unlawfully taken or withheld from them is fundamental to advancing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in order to rebuild trust with Indigenous communities.
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