(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

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

Oct 28, 2021 | 11:38 AM

CARDSTON, AB – Residents of the Blood Tribe are taking the Blood Tribe Council to federal court over the landmark $150-million “cows and plows” settlement.

In September, the First Nation announced that the ratification vote passed with members accepting the financial payment from the federal government for the Treaty Entitlement Cattle Specific Claim.

As part of the Blackfoot Treaty of 1877, the federal government promised to provide cattle and agricultural equipment to members as part of Treaty 7 negotiations in exchange for ceding roughly 130,000 km₂ of land but never followed through.

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

Roger Prairie Chicken, Eugene Fox, and Lori Scout allege that the Blood Tribe did not properly consult members on the vote and failed to provide documents that outlined the exact details of the proposed settlement.

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Fox says they are working to protect the money that belongs to members.

“The Blood Tribe Council intends to distribute $42 million in per capita payment, or $3,000 per 14,000 members. The $3,000 needs to be paid to membership yet we need to decide how to spend the balance of $108 million which is may result in an additional $8,000 per capita payment per member.”

“As the settlement agreement sits, the Blood chief and council intend to use the balance of $108 million to pay for construction projects in which they can stand to make a personal gain. Also, why is it that the Blood Tribe is paying a percentage of our settlement money to legal counsel when this lawyer already makes $3 million a year off of us?”

Court documents also indicate that, of the $25-million that will be allocated to a long-term investment fund, the trust fund will consist of seven people, four of whom would be Blood Tribe council members.

“This means that Council will control the Trust.”

Fox adds that many band members live in third-world conditions, impacted by poverty, hunger, homelessness, lack of employment and educational opportunities, addictions, suicide, hopelessness, and cultural genocide.

The complainants argue that the money owed to the Blood Tribe needs to be used in a way that positively impacts all members.

They are asking that the results of the Ratification Vote be set aside and a new referendum be held with stronger consultations and new systems in place.