The Department of Aboriginal Affairs is encouraging Registered Status Indians to collect their Treaty Annuity payments.
Treaty money which is not collected is held in trust by the federal government, and the amount being held for Saskatchewan is now $3.4 million — up from $1.5 million two years ago.
Department officials couldn’t say why the total has doubled since 2011.
The $5 payment can be collected at a First Nation or Urban Treaty Day.
Aboriginal Affairs Saskatchewan spokesperson Jodi Woollam says people who don’t collect it during the annual treaty payment can visit an AANDC regional office with proper identification, and fill out a form for the money owned to them.
A form can also be downloaded at the www.aandc.ca website.
This year, about $500,000 in treaty money is expected be paid out in Saskatchewan.