Bigstone Cree Nation has filed a Statement of Claim against the Government of Canada, alleging the federal government failed to uphold promises made under Treaty 8 regarding the livelihood of its members.

The media release was issued on June 17 but Bigstone Cree Nation Chief Silas Yellowknee read the release on June 25, saying the claim focuses on Canada’s failure to honour the promises of life and livelihood made when Treaty 8 was signed.

The Nation argues that the annuities promised to the ancestors of todays Bigstone Cree Nation members have been reduced to what it describes as “token payments.”

According to the release, Treaty 8 commissioners assured First Nations leaders that the treaty represented “a Treaty of mutual assistance and friendship,” and that “life after the Treaty would continue as before.”

Bigstone Cree Nation says those promises were not fulfilled.

“Over time the annuity promises and other promises made to support the livelihood and welfare of our People simply did not compare to the enormous value of the lands and resources that our Nation, and other Treaty Nations, shared in the making of Treaty 8,” Chief Yellowknee says.

The Nation said it is aware that other First Nations have reached annuities settlements with Canada.

However, after presenting Canada’s proposed compensation methods and offers to members during community meetings, leaders said the response was overwhelmingly negative.

According to the release, hundreds of members attended the presentations and expressed that accepting a settlement based on Canada’s compensation model was “unacceptable and unlikely.”

Rather than accepting those terms, Bigstone Cree Nation has chosen to pursue the matter through the courts.

The Nation said the legal action is intended to advance Treaty rights on behalf of all Bigstone Cree Nation members.

Chief Yellowknee says members can expect more information in the coming weeks as the litigation moves forward.
No timeline for the court proceedings was provided in the media release.

Julia Magsombol
Lakeside Leader