3 Sask. First Nations reach cows and plows settlements with federal government

Council and chief at Muscowpetung Saulteaux carry nation feature begun the treat of distributing pecuniary resource from a federal soldier agriculture benefit agreement, more commonly known as a 'cows and plows' settlement.

"We're actually working on the distribution today," Muscowpetung Chief Melissa Tavita said.

Muscowpetung held a ceremony Wednesday to celebrate the deal. The nearly $99-million settlement with the federal government addresses historical promises made under Treaty 4, in which First Nations were assured agricultural assistance, including livestock and farming equipment, as part of the treaty agreement.

"When you hear the stories about all the claims that were going through, it kind of makes you angry, because our people had to go through that," Tavita said. "It makes you feel bad that they were treated the way they were." 

Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation, located northeast of Regina, joins a growing list of Treaty 4 communities reaching resolutions with Canada over long-unmet treaty obligations.

This week, the federal government also announced a $208-million settlement with Big River First Nation and a $124-million settlement with One Arrow First Nation.

"This settlement signifies new and promising pathways for current and future generations of our people," Big River Chief Jonathan Bear said in a news release. "While also affirming our Nation-to-Nation relationship with Canada by acknowledging our inherent Treaty rights as First Nations people."

Similar settlements with other First Nations in Canada have ranged from millions to billions of dollars.

For decades, many communities including Muscowpetung argued that the agricultural treaty promises were never fully delivered.

"It's kind of a bittersweet moment for me because I feel bad for our ancestors that had to go through what they went through, our past leaders that had to go through what they went through," Tavita said. "But today it makes me feel good that Canada is accepting that wrongdoing, and Canada is trying to make things right in the way that they can."

What is ‘cows and plows’?

The community is currently in the early stages of distributing the settlement to its members. The council is providing every adult member of Muscowpetung with $40,000.

"Every member of Muscowpetung is going to be getting a payout," Tavita said. "It's either a $30K lump sum with $2,000 a year after that for five years, or else a $40K payout."

Muscowpetung nation members under the age of 18 will have their funds placed in a secure trust, earning 4 per cent annually, to be accessed once they reach adulthood.

"This is a way that we can give back to our members, the ones that never ask for anything. So we're hoping that whatever they do with the $40K, that they do it responsibly and that it helps them out in ways that they couldn't help themselves," Tavita said.

Some experts are urging a closer look at how these settlements are being approached.

Danette Starblanket, an assistant professor at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, said many of the agreements fail to honour the full meaning of Treaty 4.

"It's not just a one-time payment with an ox or plows," she said. "It's a lot more than that, it's looking at that future, those future generations, which is really what the treaties were about."

She said per-capita payouts risk weakening the treaty's original intent and also raised concerns about the release clauses embedded in many agreements, which she said legally free the Crown from future obligations.

 "Our treaties are to be in place in perpetuity, which is as long as the sun shines, the waters flow and grasses grow."

Muscowpetung plans to use the rest of its settlement to uplift the nation and support long-term prosperity.

Key investments will include housing development, infrastructure upgrades, water system improvements and youth programming, the First Nation says.

"We've been in front of our chief and council leadership to put a number of projects in front of them for us to invest in," said Myke Agecoutay, chief operating officer for Soto Business Developments. "Whether that's renewable projects or infrastructure projects, our organization has a fleet of files that we want to get in front of our leadership to get funded."

Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty, who attended the Muscowpetung ceremony Wednesday, called the settlement an important marker in the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

"I think it's important to come and actually do the announcement in the community and be able to talk with chief, council and residents on moving forward," she said.

"It is 150 years late, but that's where it's important to come today and to meet with chief and council and then moving forward, how we can continue to work together."

Tavita said community meetings are planned for the coming weeks to keep members informed and involved in the process.

"We're hoping for a good relationship moving forward," Tavita said.

Reporter & Associate Producer

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