Skip to content

Millions for local First Nations - Possibly millions more for Mosquito

Past government actions are resulting in large amounts of money for nearby First Nations. On July 18, the government of Canada and First Nations in Treaty 4 and 6 marked the settlement of various claims against the government.
Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Leanman First Nation council.
Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Leanman First Nation council.

Past government actions are resulting in large amounts of money for nearby First Nations.

On July 18, the government of Canada and First Nations in Treaty 4 and 6 marked the settlement of various claims against the government.

Claims amounts concerned treaty annuity payments the government unlawfully withheld from First Nations people during the Northwest Rebellion period between 1885 and 1888.

“As we build a new future with First Nations, reconciliation requires that we acknowledge the wrongs of the past and work collaboratively with First Nations to take the necessary steps to respectfully resolve them,” Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett said in a recent news release.

Settlement claim figures range from more than $2 million for Thunderchild First Nation, to nearly $7 million for Onion Lake Cree Nation.

Nearly $2.4 million is for Red Pheasant Cree Nation, more than $4,828,000 is for Poundmaker, nearly $6 million is for Mosquito, more than $6.5 million is for Sweetgrass and nearly $6,900,000 is for Little Pine.

At a Mosquito band meeting in June, Calgary-based lawyer Ron Maurice spoke about the First Nation’s settlement claims.

The Treaties Annuities Claim is one form of claim First Nations have been filing against the government.

According to a Specific Claims newsletter Maurice gave to band members which was provided to the News-Optimist, the “rebellion losses” claim was one part of the First Nation’s treaty annuities claim.

Compound interest increased five dollar payments owed over 100 years ago to nearly $6 million today.

“If every penny of that had gone into a bank account, [the money] would have accumulated interest over that time,” Maurice said.

In 2016, Justice Harry Slade accepted compensation that takes compound interest into account. Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation received $4.5 million.

“A treaty promise is a Crown obligation of the highest order,” the decision states.

Another phase of Mosquito’s treaty annuities claim is referred to as the “treaty salaries claim,” in which chiefs were entitled to a $25 a year salary and headmen a $15/year salary. Maurice also said the band’s leaders were deposed for some time.

Maurice estimated Mosquito is entitled to another $5 million.

Another potential compensation for Mosquito concerns a surrender claim, involving the unlawful 1905 surrender and sale of 14,400 acres of land from Grizzly Bear’s Head and Lean Man.

In 2017, Canada admitted to breaching its fiduciary duty, according to Maurice’s fact sheet, and Maurice Law’s suggested compensation for the First Nation was $145 million. In June, Maurice Law was in the process of arranging dates for a trial.

At the Mosquito band meeting, Maurice spoke of one community receiving $240 million for their claims. The money was kept in a trust. Every year, the nation would receive over $9 million from the trust. Some of the money would go to community needs, including infrastructure, housing and schools, Maurice said.