Crown-Indigenous Services Minister, Marc Miller (The Canadian Press)

By paNOW Staff

1919

Government reaches settlement agreement with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation

Aug 4, 2022 | 4:19 PM

The federal government has reached a settlement with a Saskatchewan First Nation that dates back over 100 years.

Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations, Marc Miller, met with the leadership of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation on Thursday to announce a settlement has been reached in the 1919 Soldier Settlement Surrender claim.

Submitted by Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in February 2014, this specific claim concerns Canada’s breach of pre-surrender and post-surrender obligations to the First Nation in relation to the 1919 surrender of 8,960 acres of Muskeg Lake reserve land for the purpose of providing settlement lands to veterans returning from the First World War.

“We are taking an important step to renew and strengthen our relationship with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation,” said Miller. “This settlement helps address a past wrong and creates new opportunities for a brighter future as we continue to move forward together.”

Canada has agreed to provide $127.9 million in compensation to the First Nation. The agreement also provides the option for the community to acquire up to 8,960 acres of land and have it added to their reserve.

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“Our nation is one that thrives and while the initial decision of Canada to expropriate lands created hardship for our community, we survived,” said Chief Kelly Wolfe of Muskeg Lake.

“We view this settlement as an investment in our future — our future children and lands to ensure our continued success as a nation. We continue to build our relationship with Canada in a respectful way for our members and nation.”

This announcement comes a day after Miller delivered an apology to Peepeekisis Cree Nation after Canada had forced a farming colony on the community’s land between 1898 to 1954.

–With files from The Canadian Press

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