The Lac La Ronge Indian Band approved a $601.5 million settlement with the federal government this weekend.
The settlement addresses to address the “cows and plows” clause of Treaty 6 where the federal government failed to provided agricultural equipment to First Nations as was promised in treaty.
A release from the band says its cows and plows settlement is one of the largest in Canadian history.
“This is a momentous day for Lac La Ronge Indian Band,” Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said in the media release. “We are pleased that Canada has finally recognized and acknowleged its failure to fulfill the obligations under Treaty 6 and this settlement is a critical step towards rectifying that historical wrong.”
The band says it had a record voter turnout for the settlement as well, with over 5,000 eligible voters casting their ballots.
The vote was held on between the dates of August 19-22 and 4,835 voted in favour to accept the settlement, 181 voted against to reject it and 52 ballots were spoiled.
The band held many community consultations, meetings, information sessions and discussions for band members to learn about the settlement leading up to the vote.
“This settlement is the result of careful consideration and input from our community,” said Cook-Searson.
Now that the agreement has been approved by membership, leadership from LLRIB will begin finalizing the settlement with the federal government.
According to the band, this process could take up to seven months to complete.