Federal government settles historic claim with Blood Tribe

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — The Canadian government and an Alberta First Nation have finally settled a claim that stretches back over 100 years.

In a meeting room at the Harry Hays building in Calgary, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Affairs Carolyn Bennett and Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox signed an agreement that addresses the mismanagement of assets and resources relating to cattle ranching between the years of 1894 and 1923.

“It helps to right past wrongs and pave the way to a better future for First Nation community members for many generations to come,” said Bennett.

The settlement means the government will give approximately $150 million in compensation to the Blood Tribe over the long-standing dispute.

Bennett added it came about after lengthy negotiations, and helps right past wrongs while advancing reconciliation efforts.

“There was a time when everything was very lawyerly, in terms of a legal obligation, and I think that there used to be a system where our risk of winning or risk of losing (was more important) when everybody knew that harm had been done. So why don’t we just get to the table and sort this out.”

Fox stressed how his ancestors thought past treaties were being signed in good faith, but resulted in the loss of their land and culture, but agreements like this pave the way for more improved relations.

“We are pleased to have finally reached a settlement of this long outstanding claim concerning events which occurred in the early 1900s. We look forward to finalizing the settlement agreement and moving forward with its implementation. In the true spirit of reconciliation we hope to have the same success with other land claims and initiatives in progress,” he said.

The money will largely go towards capital projects on the Blood Tribe reserve, such as expanding Red Crow College, building housing, and preserving traditions.

“That will also act as a legacy, to show everyone that these are some of the positive things that can happen when the federal government and the Kainai Blood Tribe come to terms,” Fox said.

The pair also presented gifts to each other after signing the agreement and agreed to continue working on other claims before the next federal election.

One of the claims, which Fox called the “Big Claim”, involves thousands of acres of land that was taken from the Tribe when Treaty 7 was signed.

He said they have been fighting for 45 years to settle that claim, and is hopeful more progress can be made.

“The federal government owes the Kainai Blood Tribe 162.5 sections of land. And so now, we’re at that stage where we look to you to again make the others understand. Make the Prime Minister understand. Make your colleagues in cabinet understand, that perhaps it is time we come to some resolution of our Big Claim. After all, the court has made a decision, and we have been patient.”

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