The federal and provincial governments and the Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation have negotiated a treaty land entitlement settlement of $31.6-million. Canada will pay $22.5-million and the province will pay the remaining $9.1-million. Treaty Land Entitlement claims are to address historical allegations where First Nations didn’t receive the amount of land they were supposed to get under Treaty. Mistawasis is about 70 kilometres north of Prince Albert. A news release from the province says in this case, there was a shortfall of 4,352 acres.

Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Chief Daryl Watson says the Government of Canada has fulfilled its long outstanding Treat obligation by signing the TLE Settlement Agreement. “Righting this historical wrong will enable the Nation to realize the benefits owed to them for generations to come.

Mistawasis Nêhiyawak was named after the Band’s first chief, Chief Mistawasis, who signed Treaty 6 in 1876. The Mistawasis Nêhiyawak claim was accepted for negotiations in August 2008, with tripartite negotiations between the First Nation, Canada, and Saskatchewan beginning in 2009.