(Mistawasis Nêhiyawak/Facebook)

By Logan Lehmann

First Nations

Mistawasis and governments reach agreement on Treaty Land Entitlement Claim

Jul 7, 2022 | 10:51 AM

A big settlement has been reached for a land entitlement claim with a Saskatchewan First Nation and the provincial and federal governments.

On Thursday, Chief of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Daryl Watson, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller, and Minister Responsible for First Nation, Métis and Northern Affairs Don McMorris, announced that Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, the Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan have negotiated a three-way settlement for the Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Treaty Land Entitlement Claim.

“Together, we can continue building a better quality of life for Saskatchewan people through new partnerships, social developments and economic opportunities,” Morris said. “The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to work together with First Nations and Métis partners to advance reconciliation.”

The claims of the Treaty Land Entitlement hope to address the historical allegations that First Nations received insufficient reserve land that was agreed to them under Treaty.

In 1876, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak signed Treaty 6, in which the Crown then set aside 128 acres of land per First Nation community member.

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In 1889, an Order in Council set 49,280 acres of land as reserve for the First Nation, which was enough for 385 people. However, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak confirmed the total eligible membership at the time was 419 people, resulting in a Treaty land entitlement deficit of 4,352 acres.

The settlement will award Mistawasis Nêhiyawak $31.6 million as Canada will pay $22.5 million and Saskatchewan will pay the remaining $9.1 million.

The agreement supports the First Nation in adding up to 29,394.18 acres of land to their reserve. Canada and Saskatchewan further agreed to set aside a total of $4.9 million as compensation to rural municipal and school divisions once taxable land is set apart as reserve.

“With the signing of Treaty 6 in 1876, Chief Mistawasis brought a new way of life for his people,” Chief Daryl Watson said. “Based on Treaty 6, the Government of Canada has fulfilled a long outstanding Treaty obligation owed to Mistawasis Nêhiyawak by signing the TLE Settlement Agreement. Righting this historical wrong will enable the Nation to realize the benefits owed to them for generations to come.”

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logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann