Clearwater River Dene Nation Logo (CNW Group/Clearwater River Dene Nation)

By Derek Cornet

agricultural claim

Clearwater River Dene Nation members each receive $44,000 cows and plows payment

Jun 11, 2021 | 3:21 PM

Every member of Clearwater River Dene Nation is entitled to $44,000 due to an agricultural benefit claim commonly known as ‘cows and plows.’

Chief Teddy Clark told larongeNOW the majority of the $122,334,431 financial compensation the band and the federal government settled upon started being released to members on June 1. He explained none of the settlement was kept for public works or projects, noting everything was distributed.

“I have to say, a lot of people were kind of worrying, but hey, the members really managed their money,” Clark said. “There were some extra dollars paid through the negotiators and the lawyers and whatnot, but not too much of that went to them. The majority of the money went to members.”

In anticipation of the cows and plows payments, the North West Company rented the community hall and brought in items such as all-terrain vehicles and furniture. Clark mentioned many local residents have purchased new or previously used vehicles or have paid off debt.

“We have a lot of low-income families,” he said. “We have people on social assistance who always wanted certain things, but just couldn’t afford it at the time. With this kind of influx of money like that to each person, it was phenomenal. It was awesome. People got what they wanted.”

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In an email from Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, it was stated the Government of Canada is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and that includes working in partnership with First Nations to resolve outstanding specific claims through negotiated settlements that help to right past wrongs, renew relationships and advance reconciliation for the benefit of all Canadians.

“Canada believes that the best way to address outstanding issues and advance reconciliation with Indigenous people is through negotiation and dialogue,” the email noted. “Canada and the Clearwater River Dene Nation have successfully concluded a negotiated settlement to resolve an outstanding specific claim relating to agricultural benefits under Treaty 8.”

Under Treaty 8, families were entitled to cows and plows for agricultural use but the promise was never fulfilled.

Clearwater Dene River Nation began started looking into the settlement in 2013 and Clark said the process took longer than what was anticipated. He believes the $122 million is a good amount for compensation and that the band will continue to look into other settlements such as for twine and ammunition that was promised and never delivered upon.

The band is also in talks with industries located in traditional territory negotiating revenue, dividends, and royalties.

“The future is looking pretty bright,” Clark said.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno