Zagimē Anishinabēk, formerly the Sakimay First Nation, will receive a $20.5 Treaty Land Right Agreement (TLE) to help the nation add up to 18,620.42 acres of land. This settlement follows a tripartite settlement agreement between Zagimē Anishinabēk, the Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan.
TLE claims in Canada are addressed at the governmental level to discuss, negotiate and determine a course of action for land shortages where First Nations received insufficient reserve land promised to them under the treaty.
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“We look forward to the benefits, for current and future generations, that will result from this agreement,” said Lynn Acoose, head of Zagimē Anishinabēk, in a press release. “In addition to supporting Zagimē Anishinabēk’s community and economic development goals, we anticipate ongoing positive relationships with Canada and Saskatchewan as work to expand our land base advances under the settlement agreement.”
In 1874, when Zagimē Anishinabēk signed Treaty 4, the Crown set aside 128 acres per person. However, Zagimē was given 31,829 acres of land as a reserve for the Nation, which represented enough land for approximately 248 people. According to the release, the population of Zagimē Anishinabēk at the time of entering Treaty 4 was determined to be 271, resulting in a shortfall of 2,859 acres in treaty land entitlement.
“The resolution of this important agreement for the people of Zagimē Anishinabēk addresses a mistake made in the past by Canada,” said Marc Miller, Minister for Indigenous Relations of the Crown. “We remain committed to addressing the harm done to the Zagimē Anishinabēk people, to continue to improve our relationship.”
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The Government of Canada has agreed to pay $14.5 million and the Government of Saskatchewan will pay the remaining $5.8 million, adding $20.5 million to Zagimē Anishinabēk. The two levels of government further agreed to set aside a total of $3.1 million as compensation for rural municipalities and school divisions once the taxable land is set aside as a reserve.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to have delivered on previous promises to Zagimē Anishinabēk regarding their Land Rights Treaty,” said Don McMorris, Minister for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs. “Now there will be opportunities for land investment, economic development and community improvements. The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to working together with First Nations and Métis partners to advance reconciliation.”
According to the release, Zagimē Anishinabēk’s claim was accepted for negotiations on September 18, 2006 and they signed the settlement agreement on April 12, 2022.
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