Outside of the Blood Tribe Administration building. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Uncertainty remains over Ottawa’s $150M with Blood Tribe

Nov 25, 2021 | 11:13 AM

STANDOFF, AB – The saga of the “cows and ploughs” settlement continues between the Blood Tribe and Ottawa.

In September, the First Nation voted to ratify a $150-million settlement with the federal government for the Treaty Entitlement Cattle Specific Claim.

READ MORE: $150M cattle settlement approved by Blood Tribe members

The settlement relates to the Blackfoot Treaty of 1877, in which the federal government promised to provide cattle and agricultural equipment to members as part of Treaty 7 negotiations. In exchange, Ottawa would receive roughly 130,000 square-kilometres of land.

The federal government never followed through on their end of the deal.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

However, following September’s ratification vote, three residents launched a lawsuit against Blood Tribe council, alleging that council did not properly consult with members on the vote and failed to provide documentation that outline the exact details of Ottawa’s proposed settlement.

READ MORE: Blood Tribe members launch lawsuit against Council regarding $150M settlement

Earlier this month, it was reported that the federal government was holding off on the settlement due to that lawsuit. The Blood Tribe noted that until the settlement agreement is signed by the minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, no compensation will be forwarded to the First Nation.

The three residents who launched the lawsuit, Roger Prairie Chicken, Eugene Fox and Lori Scout, are asking that the results of the ratification vote be set aside, and a new referendum be held.

On November 25, the Blood Tribe shared an update on the case, stating that an application for judicial review of the decision of the Council to hold the ratification vote was filed in federal court on October 15.

The first case management meeting was held on November 18. The Blood Tribe said that the case management judge set a timetable for any preliminary steps that will need to be taken and will then set the timing for the judicial review hearing.

The First Nation stated, “given the current timing and the upcoming Christmas break for the federal court, it is anticipated that the actual judicial review proceeding will not commence until into the New Year.”

“Canada has not advised whether the Minister will execute the Settlement Agreement while the judicial review proceedings are before the court and therefore Blood Tribe Council is not able to provide any date for when the compensation will be paid and a per capita distribution is able to be held or money is available for capital projects.”

Blood Tribe Council will continue to provide updates as they become available.