Settled Claims

These are just a few examples and not a complete list. For information about all settled and ongoing specific claims go to the Reporting Centre on Specific Claims website.

All of the numbered Treaties include the promise to set aside land for the exclusive use of the First Nation. This is called reserve land. The size of reserve land was based on a First Nation's population at the time the Treaty was signed. There was an amount per member promised that differed between Treaties. However, some First Nations did not receive the amount of reserve land they were promised and $440 million was set aside to compensate these First Nations.

First Nations that did not receive the reserve land promised can file a claim with the government through the specific claims process. The government has made agreements with some First Nations that made claims. Under these agreements First Nations received money to buy land from the government or private owners. The purchased land is then owned by the First Nation. But it does not become reserve land until the First Nation goes through a lengthy and expensive process that includes environmental assessments and land surveys.

Agricultural benefits were promised in the Treaties. Historical evidence shows that these promises were not fulfilled. This limited the ability of First Nations to grow, and develop their economies, and become equal partners in the economy of the day which at the time was agriculture. First Nations have made specific claims based on this. 14 First Nations in Saskatchewan reached an agreement with the government for $1.72 billion to settle their agricultural benefits claims. 

Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation made a specific claim based on a Treaty promise to pay annuities as well as Chief and Headmen salaries that were not paid. Following the Riel Resistance, the government wrongly designated Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nations as disloyal because of their alleged participation in the Resistance. To punish them, every member was denied their annuity payments from 1885 to 1888. The Specific Claims Tribunal found that there was no evidence to support a finding that they were in fact disloyal.

The claim was settled with the government. Under the agreement the First Nation was given $4 million in compensation.