Canada pays Indigenous hundreds of millions of dollars for past injustices

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) — The Canadian government has paid hundreds of millions of dollars to Indigenous tribes in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan to correct historical wrongs, it was reported Saturday.

The Muskowpetung Saulteaux Nation received CAN$150 million ($110.2 million) as compensation for 7,400 hectares (18,285 acres) of land seized in 1909, a breach of the 1874 treaty signed between the government and the nation. The nation, located in the north of Saskatchewan with a population of about 1,600, sued the government in the 1990s.

"I'm very happy with the conclusion. A lot of our people worked so hard," Muskowpetung Chief Melissa Tavita told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). "I look back at when my mom was on (Muskowpetung) council. I remember being a teenager and her telling me that they were putting in a claim to take the government to court."

While that was the largest claim, the Kinistin Saulteaux Nation was awarded CAN$56 million for agricultural benefits agreed to by treaty but that were not forthcoming.

"For Kinistin, this agreement is a treaty right fulfilled and treaty implementation. This was a result of the parties working toward a fair process and a result we feel is fair. We have other outstanding claims and are confident that this will pave the way for treaty implementation in other areas," Kinistin Chief Felix Thomas told the CBC. The band has a population of about 1,200.

Another 14 First Nations received CAN$37 million.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree said in a written statement that settling past injustices with First Nations is a top priority for Ottawa.