Federal government declines to negotiate Treaty annuity payments

The federal government has ruled they have no lawful obligation to increase the $5 annuity payment that Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) members receive every year.  

That’s according to a recent update from the Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada’s Specific Claims Branch.  

The LLRIB claims the federal government failed to augment or increase the annual payment each band member receives as set out in Treaty 6 to offset the impacts of inflation and maintaining the payment’s purchasing power. The claim was filed in February 2025, and as of March 24, 2026, it has not been accepted for negotiations.  

larongeNOW reached out to Chief Tammy Cook-Searson on the development. She stated she would respond to the inquiry once the band has plans for their next step. That could involve taking the case to the Specific Claims Tribunal for a final decision.