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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.