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In the the highest voter turnout in its history, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) has approved a settlement with the federal government to to settle the Treaty 6 Agricultural Benefits Claim.
In a news release on Saturday, LLRIB said the $601.5 million secured for its community addresses the long-standing “cows and plows” clause of Treaty 6, resolving unfulfilled promises made by Canada to provide agricultural support.
LLRIB, the second largest First Nation in Saskatchewan and one of the 10 largest in Canada, held a community vote from Aug. 19 to 22, followed by in-person voting on August 23.
The band said 5,068 ballots were cast by 8,462 eligible voters aged over 18 and there was overwhelming support for the agreement, with 95 per cent of voters in favour of the settlement. LLRIB has a population of 12,395 as, of July 2024.
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“Cows and plows” refers to a commitment under Treaty 6 negotiated with Queen Victoria in 1876 to align First Nations with Euro-Canadian agriculture.
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner says historical records and other available evidence suggest Government of Canada rarely completely fulfilled its agricultural benefits obligations, significantly limiting the ability of First Nations to grow and develop their economies.
“We are pleased that Canada has finally recognized and acknowledged its failure to fulfill the obligations under Treaty 6, and this settlement is a critical step towards rectifying that historical wrong,” Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said in the release.
“This settlement is the result of careful consideration and input from our community members. We wanted to ensure that everyone’s voice was heard and that the decision we made together reflects the collective will and best interests of the band
membership.
“This agreement represents a significant step toward justice and reconciliation for the members of our First Nation,” Tammy Cook-Searson said.
The band now has to finalize the settlement agreement with the federal government, a process that is expected to take up to seven months.
In 2023, Saskatchewan’s Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation settled a Treaty 4 Agricultural Benefits Claim for $56.8 million.
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