TREATY 5, TREATY 6, AND TREATY 10
TERRITORIES, Oct. 18, 2024 /CNW/ - 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 5, 6, and 10.
Through these Treaties, 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 economic transition, 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.
Over the past several days, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree,
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, met with Alexis Nakota
Sioux Nation, Buffalo River Dene Nation, Cumberland House Cree
Nation, Enoch Cree Nation, Heart
Lake First Nation, Kehewin Cree Nation, and Sturgeon Lake First
Nation to acknowledge the settlements of their Agricultural
Benefits specific claims, otherwise known as Cows and Plows
claims.
Minister Anandasangaree was also able to visit with community
leaders from Frog Lake First Nation and Lac La Ronge Indian Band to
discuss the progress of their Agricultural Benefits specific claims
under the expedited framework process.
Once fully settled, these claims will represent almost
$1.4 billion in combined compensation
to these First Nations under an expedited resolution strategy for
agricultural benefit claims. Under this framework, Canada has provided a total of $1,937,805,226 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.
The successful resolution of specific claims is a key step in
Canada's reconciliation with First
Nations—one that acknowledges and addresses the wrongs of the past
and helps to build a better future. These settlements
represent Canada's commitment to
addressing historical wrongs for the past, current and future
generations of the affected Nations.
Quotes
"It's important to acknowledge what the Agricultural Benefits
settlements represent. Treaty has always been a way of living
together with respect. In the past, Canada has failed to honour that spirit and
intent and treated us as an obstacle to its own goals. We
acknowledge that Canada has taken
an important step today toward making amends for its past failures.
This is a step in the right direction, and we hope that
Canada can continue to take
positive action toward fulfilling the promises made to our Nations
a century and a half ago."
Chief Cody Thomas
Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations, and
Chief of Enoch Cree Nation
"This settlement recognizes the original promises made under Treaty
No. 6 in 1877 and acknowledges the inadequate agricultural benefits
that were provided to our people. It is a victory for our Nation
and a testament to the determination of those who first established
these rights. Through close work with our people and effective
negotiations with the ministry, this settlement marks a significant
step forward, ensuring that these long-standing commitments are
finally addressed for the benefit of future generations."
Chief Tony Alexis
Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation
"This is an emotional day for our Nation. For generations, our
community has carried the weight of broken promises—promises that
could have helped us grow and prosper. We watched our land, our
families, and our traditions suffer, waiting for justice that
seemed so far away. But today, I stand here, proud and grateful,
knowing that our ancestors' sacrifices were not in vain. This
settlement is a symbol of justice, dignity, and renewal for our
people. It's a chance to rebuild trust and provide hope for future
generations. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Minister
Anandasangaree for his support, and we remain dedicated to the
ongoing journey of healing, reconciliation, and ensuring that our
Treaty rights are fully honoured and respected."
Chief Christine Longjohn
Sturgeon Lake First Nation
"Too many of our young people still suffer from a lack of hope
and opportunity that leads them into poor academic achievement,
substance abuse, lateral violence, over-incarceration, and worse.
We are addressing these and other issues as best we can.
The Cows and Plows compensation was distributed to help all
members alive today to make big plans and explore their dreams, dig
themselves out of a hole and pay off debt, or just make it easier
to meet daily needs. For a good example, some members have pooled
their money and bought homes."
Chief Rene Chaboyer
Cumberland House Cree Nation
"Working in partnership with First Nations, Canada has resolved over 720 specific claims
since 1973. From April 1, 2024, to
September 30, 2024, 18 claims were
settled for $1.1 billion in
compensation. I'm grateful for the partnership of Treaty 5, 6, and
10 First Nations to expedite our work and resolve these outstanding
treaty violations, as they have waited too long already for
justice."
The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
"Today's announcement is reconciliation in action for these
communities. Once fully settled, the $1.4
billion in compensation is a further step in rebuilding
trust between Canada and
Indigenous communities."
The Honourable Randy Boissonnault
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official
Languages
Quick facts
- Treaty 5, also known as the Winnipeg Treaty, was signed in
1875–76 by the federal government, Ojibwe peoples and the Swampy
Cree of Lake Winnipeg. Treaty 5 covers much of present-day central
and northern Manitoba, as well as
portions of Saskatchewan and
Ontario.
- Treaty 6 is an agreement between the Crown and the Plains and
Woods Cree, Assiniboine, and other band governments at Fort Carlton
and Fort Pitt, representing most of the central area of the current
provinces of Saskatchewan and
Alberta. Treaty 6 signings began
on 18 August 1876 and ran until
9 September 1876.
- Treaty 10 was established beginning 19
August 1906 between King Edward VII and various First Nation
band governments in current northern Saskatchewan and a portion of current eastern
Alberta, covering nearly 220,000
square kilometres.
Associated links
Specific Claims
Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation
Buffalo River Dene Nation
Cumberland House Cree Nation
Enoch Cree Nation
Frog Lake First Nation
Heart Lake First Nation
Lac La Ronge Indian Band
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SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Canada