Treaty 5, Treaty 6, and Treaty 10 Territories - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
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.
