Monday, Chief Edwin Ananas of the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced that the First Nation and the Government of Canada have come to a settlement agreement regarding the Beardy’s and Okemasis Treaty Salaries Claim.

The resolution of the claim addresses a longstanding historical grievance where Canada failed to provide the salaries and annuities promised to Chiefs and Headmen under Treaty 6 between 1885 and 1951. Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation will receive $4.1 million dollars for the claim that has been in negotiations since 2009 .

Chief Edwin Ananas says, “This shows us Canada is living up to their obligations and fulfilling their duties as to their first nations people.” He continues, “It’s very humbling to be the chief at the time to accept these claims from Canada, it marks a historical moment.”

Minister Marc Miller says, “Today is about, obviously the finical compensation, but also about respect and dignity, which was something that was denied to the community for over 66 years.”

Chief Edwin Ananas adds that they haven’t yet decided how the money will be used, but that membership from Beardy’s and Okemasis will begin to have discussions.

Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation is located 91 kilometers north of Saskatoon and is in between Batoche and Fort Carlton.