Ottawa signs $1.3 billion settlement with Siksika Nation

There were also breaches of duty by CP Rail, including taking reserve lands, flooding of and releasing of sewage onto the reserve without Siksika’s permission, and the unlawful taking of 500 acres of reserve land for the Bow River Irrigation Project.

Miller says the community lost more than half of the land that was set aside for it in Treaty 7 less than 30 years after it was signed.

“We acknowledge that the Crown’s interest behind the surrender was to open up the area to resource development, and since 1910, you’ve been deprived of half your land base and your fair share of wealth that came and comes from these lands,” says Miller. “We know that this was about more than just the lost material values of the lands. Siksika lost access to many sacred sites and practices that were integral to your culture.”

Trudeau believes the government of the time acted “dishonourably” in the 1910 land surrender, and that it never should have happened.

The Prime Minister sees the $1.3 billion settlement as an opportunity to start rebuilding trust between Ottawa and Indigenous communities.

“This settlement demonstrates our government’s commitment to work with you in partnership to address injustices and to build a better future together for many generations to come; a future based on nation-to-nation dialogue, partnership, and respect,” says Trudeau.

Siksika Chief Ouray Crowfoot asked the federal government to stop using the word “reconciliation” when talking about past injustices against Indigenous peoples, because he does not think that any amount of money can make those actions right.

However, Crowfoot believes the First Nation is moving in the right direction and says this settlement will help them to continue in those efforts.

“This land claim, yeah, $1.3 billion, that’s a lot of money, but it can never make it whole of what it was before, but we gotta move forward. What the 1.3 can do is provide opportunities, opportunities we didn’t have before… and I do see the tide turning for Siksika.”

Crowfoot highlighted many positive steps that have been undertaken in the Siksika Nation in recent years, such as the return of full-time police officers, and having the Blackfoot language included on road signs in the First Nation.

As part of the settlement, every member of the Siksika Nation will receive a one-time payment of $20,000 in July 2022. The Nation currently has just over 7,800 members.

The signing event can be viewed in full on the CPAC website.

by David Opinko

Ottawa signs $1.3 billion settlement with Siksika Nation

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