Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 6 - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Today, Chief Kelly Wolfe of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation; and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced that Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the Government of Canada have reached a settlement of the 1919 Soldier Settlement Board Surrender specific claim. This marks a significant step toward addressing the wrongs done to the community and rebuilding Canada's relationship with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. Over 100 years have passed since this wrong took place and before the community received recognition, acknowledgement, and replacement resources for the lands taken.
Submitted by Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in February 2014, this specific claim concerns Canada's breach of pre-surrender and post-surrender obligations to the First Nation in relation to the 1919 surrender of 8,960 acres of Muskeg Lake reserve land for the purpose of providing settlement lands to veterans returning from the First World War.
In the settlement agreement, Canada agreed to provide compensation totaling $127.9 million. The settlement agreement also provides the option for the community to acquire up to 8,960 acres of land and have it added to their reserve in accordance with the Additions to Reserve/Reserve Creation Policy.
This agreement between Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and Canada represents a shared understanding to address a historical wrong, both for the current members of the community and for the generations to come.
Honouring Canada's legal obligations to Indigenous Peoples and working collaboratively to resolve historical grievances is fundamental to advancing reconciliation in Canada.
