The cows and plows settlement will benefit band members in a variety of ways. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

distribution

LLRIB cows and plows settlement to benefit individual members, community investments

Aug 26, 2024 | 2:21 PM

Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) Chief Tammy Cook-Searson is shedding some light on how the historic $601.5 million Treaty 6 Agricultural Benefits Claim (cows and plows) will be distributed.

Cook-Searson explained it shouldn’t be a surprise to band members on how the funds will be spent as the topic of distribution was discussed at several community consultation and information meetings. She said band members shouldn’t expect a 100 per cent payout to individuals as the funds will be utilized in various ways.

Those who are on the band list as of Aug. 23 will receive a large, one-time payout once the settlement is finalized within three to seven months. All those over the age of 18 will receive that payout, while those under that age will have their funds kept in a trust account.

As of December 2025, all band members regardless of age will also qualify for an annual per capita distribution depending on whether or not that amount of money set aside is accruing interest. Another chunk of the settlement will be kept in a separate band account that will go towards community investments.

Cook-Searson noted unlike the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, where the federal government dealt with people on an individual basis, the cows and plows settlement is about the band as a group.

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“The federal government directly dealt with the students, so it is different here,” she said.

“It’s a community benefit, so it is a communal benefit. That is why the band is the only one as a whole who can negotiate with the government, so that’s why we had to go through the voting process and information, so that at the end of the day, it was up to the band members whether they accepted the settlement agreement or not.”

Cows and plows refers to a commitment under Treaty 6 negotiated with Queen Victoria in 1876. It is a commitment to assist First Nations in transitioning from a hunting-centric lifestyle to one more aligned with Euro-Canadian agriculture or livestock raising.

In October 2018, the LLRIB completed historical research and submitted its claim to the federal government. In 2021, they received partial validation for the claim, but as the federal government only agreed to negotiate part of it, the band escalated the matter to the federal court.

In-person negotiation meetings were held with the feds in December 2022 and, at that time, it was indicated they were ready to begin substantive negotiations which would resolve the band’s outstanding claim. A settlement offer was received by the LLRIB in April 2024.

A community vote was held from Aug. 19 to 22, which was followed by in-person voting on Aug. 23, and saw a record turnout of 5,068 ballots cast out of 8,462 eligible voters, resulting in a 60 per cent voter turnout—the highest voter turnout in its history. Of that 60 per cent, 95 per cent of voters, or 4,835 band members over 18, voted in favour, while 181 voted against and 52 ballots were spoiled.

Cook-Searson has extended an invitation to Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree to visit a LLRIB community once the agreement goes through. She’s hopeful he will bring a cheque with him at that time.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com