Zagimē Anishinabēk First Nation to receive over $20M in compensation for treaty land entitlement claim
A tripartite settlement agreement was signed between the government of Saskatchewan, the federal government and the Zagimē Anishinabēk First Nation on Thursday, allowing the First Nation to acquire over 180,000 acres of land.
Chief Lynn Acoose, of Zagimē Anishinabēk First Nation, Minister Responsible for First Nation, Métis and Northern Affairs Don McMorris, as well as the federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller were reported to have negotiated the agreement for each side, according to a news release from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
“We look forward to the benefits, for current and future generations that will result from this settlement,” Chief Acoose said in the release. “In addition to supporting Zagimē Anishinabēk’s community and economic development goals, we anticipate ongoing positive relations with Canada and Saskatchewan as the work of adding to our land base proceeds under the settlement agreement.”
Treaty Land Entitlement claims address land shortfalls where First Nations received insufficient reserve land promised to them under Treaty, according to the federal government.
Download the CTV News app to get local alerts sent to your device
Zagimē Anishinabēk signed Treaty 4 in 1874, provided that the Crown set aside 128 acres per person. Zagimē received 31,829 acres of land as reserve for the Nation, which represented enough land for approximately 248 individuals.
It was determined that Zagimē Anishinabēk’s population at the time of entering Treaty 4 was 271, resulting in a Treaty Land Entitlement shortfall of 2,859 acres.
“There will now be opportunities for land investment, economic development, and community enhancements,” Minister McMorris said in the release.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to working together with First Nations and Métis partners to advance reconciliation.”
The compensation listed in the settlement will amount to $20.3 million according the news release.
Canada has agreed to pay $14.5 million of the settlement while Saskatchewan will pay the remaining $5.8 million.
Both the provincial and federal governments have agreed to set aside $3.1 million as compensation to rural municipalities and school divisions once taxable land is set apart as reserve.
Zagimē Anishinabēk’s claim was originally accepted for negotiations on September 18, 2006.
Zagimē Anishinabēk First Nation is located approximately 130 kilometres east of Regina.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.