Larissa Burnouf
APTN National News
A First Nation in Central Saskatchewan has set a legal precedent.
In December, Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation just north of Saskatoon were granted an award of $4.5 million by the Specific Claims Tribunal.
The case was won because the community was able to prove the federal government withheld treaty payments, and removed its chief, during the Northwest rebellion.
Given the reasons why Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation were awarded $4.5 million, it truly was the right thing to do. In this particular case, better late than never is an understatement and I do hope that forgiveness is also a part of the settlement so that the people are set free from the past and able to move forward in new and exciting ways, able to grow and prosper in ways that are not just beneficial to future generations of First Nations, but to everyone in Canada in the here and now. Congratulations to the people of Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation.
Thats really good now we need more land settlements
Yes I am a Manitoba Metis and I whole heartedly agree that the government should just stop wasting tax payers money by fighting these issues. Canada signed treaties with the First Nations and the Metis also, of this country and failed to up hole their end of the deal. After all these years they know they did something wrong and that it would come out eventually, so why fight it. Admit you were wrong shake hands and apologise and give them what they are owed.