Bigstone chief says it’s in the hands of the lawyers
Joe McWilliams
Lakeside Leader
There’s a rumour out there (when isn’t there?) that Bigstone Cree Nation members are getting a payout under the ‘Cows and Plows’ program. That’s the common term for the Agricultural Benefits Agreement, which goes back to a 100-year-old unfulfilled promised made by Treaty 8 negotiators.
The pledge at the time was that for native families that wanted to take up farming, the Crown would provide the means to do that. By and large, it never happened.
Negotiations on addressing that breach have been going on for some time, and in the last year or so there have been some payouts by the federal government.
In the case of Bigstone, the feds regarded the matter as settled when the Treaty Land Entitlement was signed off on a few years ago. But not so fast.
Chief Silas Yellowknee says an Edmonton lawyer is working on the case for Bigstone. He’s got a box full of documents, including minutes of all the pertinent negotiations leading up to the treaty settlement for Bigstone.
“That was three months ago,” Yellowknee says. “He requested more information. That’s where we’re sitting.”
So rumours that there is a payment coming are premature. There might be one is more like it.
Yellowknee says what got Bigstone thinking there might be more Cows and Plows money is when other First Nations got some hefty payouts. So the question was asked of the feds that went more or less like this: ‘If they qualify for that much, how about us?’ The answer, Yellowknee says, was “Nope. The file is closed.”
But as far as Bigstone is concerned it isn’t closed, and they are hopeful they’ll get what they feel is coming to them. How that turns out is in the hands of the legal and government people. One thing Yellowknee is willing to say for sure is what will be done with the money if it does come to Bigstone.
“Every penny we get will go to the members.”
Where can we sign . All we need is the maximum amount of members to fight this. Cows and plows. Hefty departing council member payouts ect ect ect
When does it stopp. I say now. We have a voice and now is the time to use it. Every other first nation has been compensated. And from previous experienced over and over again. How many times have we wrongly left these funds in the wrong hands to be distributed amongst members we are our own government its tme to act on what we ve asked to.govern. ots our responsibility to correct this wrongs. .
I’m from bigstone and wondering when we get our cow and plows I’m struggling really bad and could use it I live in Edmonton off reserve
When and how can I register or apply for cows and plows
All you need is your Status card with your date of birth, Status number and photo ID.
Also the Cows and Plows were LOCKED UP into a TRUST so no members could have access. Thanks to that Chief Gord Auger, but before he left office. He decided to give himself and his council a nice greasy parting gift..a payment in the $700,000 range all together. Without informing members, which they were supposed to do.
Would like all info on what is what and when do we get our cow and plow. I am now 60 years old. Would like to buy a new van to travel… haven’t been to treaty Days ever, can’t afford to buy. Right now, I am driving a 2004silouette minor rust spots engine light and starting to overheat. And what are you driving? I would like to know how to get a parcel of land and a house to go with it yes t am Asking for alot…want to retire in my own house had to put my belongings in storage and living with family. Can’t afford rent plus utilities. When is Treaty Days I would like to attend. Thank you. Also Canada Statistics changed my name. Gave me an E. Was going to cost me $300 for their mistakes. In case there is some confusion on my three names Holla. Finally done.
i know heard the same things as well were the only band that didnt receive the cows and plows
are band is to busy getting plowed by cows haha midas well say that cause its what it seems like
if there is gonna be a big payout as said once it does come to the band why should the money be decided on how its gonna be spent to when its initialized to the band members so my question is why would you be empowered to decide what the members do with there share of the cow and plow money if we do recieve a large amount of sonias
When are Bigstone Band members getting Cows and Plows? I hear Sucker Creek First Nation got theirs.
So, is this case closed?? And 3500 was our payouts and nothing more? Mean while all these other bands are getting 1000s. Is it cause there is less band members or whats the deal? I just wanna know and understand why this is? Did the negotiations back then go wrong? Did we get sold out?
Silas,
If the money was put into a trust for the people of bigstone? When can the people ( bigstone) access this trust? Again just asking.
Where do I get forms to fill out for cows and plows treaty fund
I too would like to know about the application for a treaty fund o
If there is one.
I live off reserve and need financial help
Can I please get the proper procedure to go about making a request. I would really benefit from the office reserve covid money that was going around a few months ago. I never got to the deadline on time.