English River First Nation, Patuanak, Treaty 10 Territory, Saskatchewan - Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
The Government of Canada is working to renew the relationships between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples in Canada based on the affirmation of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.
Today, Chief Alfred Dawatzare, Vice Chief Bruce McIntyre, Councillor Jenny Wolverine, Councillor Randy McIntyre, Councillor Joey Paul, Councillor Maurice Gunn and Councillor Lewis Black ("English River Chief and Council"), and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations have finalized a settlement of English River First Nation's Agricultural Benefits Specific Claim.
The members of English River First Nation voted to accept the settlement agreement on October 13, 2023.
Canada will provide English River First Nation compensation in the amount of $90,860,500 for failing to uphold its promise to provide assistance for agriculture or stock raising or other work, as well as Canada's failure to provide flags, medals, suits of clothing, and ammunition and twine.
This settlement agreement is an important step to improve the economic and labour resources for English River's present and future generations. The significant socio-economic gaps between First Nations and non-First Nations People in Canada are the direct result of inequitable and counter-productive colonial policies and Canada's failure to honour and implement treaty promises, which often led to the marginalization of First Nations from the economy.
As we embark on a new era guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, honouring and implementing treaty obligations and properly compensating Indigenous Peoples for what was unjustly withheld is fundamental to advancing reconciliation in Canada and rebuilding trust with Indigenous communities.
