Over $1.72 billion in federal funding was allocated to First Nations across Treaties 4 and 6 today as a means of compensation for past wrongdoings.

Roughly 150 years ago, the federal government’s Cows and Ploughs Promise assured First Nations people that they would receive ploughs, seeds for important crops, livestock such as cows and bulls, and other farming necessities…none of which came to fruition.

Now, Federal Minister of Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree says 14 First Nations have agreed to receive an Agricultural Benefits specific claims settlement, each in the form of a payout worth millions of dollars.

“We have an opportunity today, as a country and as a people, to make sure that we reset the relationship for the next generation.”

Chief Mark Fox of Piapot Cree Nation says the money will benefit his people tremendously.

“Some of the economic benefits are going to be we’re going to be able to grow in the industrial area, reduce some of the dependency in our nation through employment. Some of the social benefits we’re going to be working on are food security, poverty reduction.”

After remarks from Minister Anandasangaree and several chiefs, out of the crowd came former Chief of FSIN, Senator Sol Sanderson. He stated that by settling, Indigenous peoples are agreeing to give up all agricultural provisions that are guaranteed by treaty.

“If you read your settlement agreement carefully, you’ll see (section) 2.2 of your settlement agreement provides for you to have to release to the Crown all those agricultural benefits that are guaranteed by treaty.”

He adds that treaty terms cannot be legally resolved through a claim process but need to be handled through a Crown Indian Nations Treaty Process.