When the Northwest Rebellion ended. the Government of Canada withheld treaty annuity payments to 14 First Nations bands they accused of taking part in the rebellion.
One of the bands, the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation, launched a $4.2-million claim.
The Specific Claims Tribunal ruled today the band should have received their treaty payments during that time.
Chief Rick Gamble says his band is the test case for the other First Nations who had their treaty rights violated.
“I’m glad to hear that they ruled in our favour. However, I’m not about to do cartwheels until we get the response from the federal government,” says Gamble. “They have the option to appeal, it’s one of the options they have. It wouldn’t surprise me if they did and this is the same government that spends $149 million a year fighting treaty rights.”
Canada withheld treaty payments to every man, woman, and child from 14 First Nations in Saskatchewan between the years 1885 and 1888.
The other First Nations include: Chakastaypasin, Little Pine, Lucky Man, Moosomin, Mosquito/Grizzly Bear’s Head/Lean Man, Muskeg Lake, One Arrow, Onion Lake, Poundmaker, Red Pheasant, Sweetgrass, Thunderchild and Young Chipewayan.