CANADA'S NEW GOVERNMENT AND BIGSTONE CREE CELEBRATE KEY MILESTONE IN NEGOTIATIONS

2-2945

WABASCA, ALBERTA (OCTOBER 12, 2007) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Bigstone Cree Nation Chief Francis Gladue, today participated in an important ceremony in the community.

Negotiators from Canada, Alberta and the Bigstone Cree Nation, including the communities of Calling Lake, Chipewyan Lake, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake signed the Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) for the First Nation’s Treaty Land Entitlement and Ancillary Benefits Claims under Treaty 8.  Minister Strahl was present to witness the signing.  The AIP establishes a framework for the three parties to conclude negotiations, draft a final settlement agreement and bring it to a vote by the members of the Bigstone Cree Nation.

The proposed settlement includes $299.5 million and no less than 56,658 hectares (140,000 acres) of land.  Also part of the agreement will be the establishment of several new reserves and a new Band for the communities of Peerless and Trout Lakes. 

“Canada’s New Government is committed to working with First Nations and provinces to successfully address First Nation specific claims as a key step in improving the lives of First Nations people,“ said Minister Strahl.  “This AIP lays the groundwork to finalize negotiations and is a demonstration of the commitment made by Canada’s New Government to make real progress to resolve outstanding specific claims to the benefit of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians alike.”

“This AIP was reached through cooperation and goodwill of all the parties,” said Bigstone Chief Gladue.  “I am proud of the Bigstone Cree Nation Council and the Communities Interim Chiefs and Councils and look forward to presenting this settlement to the members of the Bigstone Cree Nation.  Bigstone, the Communities, and particularly our Elders, have been striving to achieve a resolution of these issues for a very long time.  Bigstone Cree Nation will finally lay this settlement to rest and celebrate the outcome of this long outstanding claim.”

Dating back to a treaty from the late 1800s, Canada’s total contribution to the proposed settlement agreement will be $236.5 million.  The contribution includes $220 million to settle Canada’s obligations for the Treaty Land Entitlement Claim and Ancillary Benefit clauses under Treaty 8, $11 million towards negotiation costs and $5.5 million for implementation including surveys and environmental assessment of the new land base.

Included in the $220 million is $59 million dedicated to improving housing and infrastructure in the communities, including a new high school for the students in the new community. 

Alberta’s contribution to the proposed settlement agreement will be no less than 56,658 hectares (140,000 acres), $28 million in compensation, two schools offering Kindergarten to Grade 6 at Peerless and Trout Lakes valued at $25 million, and two water treatment plants at Peerless and Trout Lakes worth $10 million.

The next steps in the negotiation process will be to finalize negotiations of the land selections and accommodate any remaining third party interests, draft settlement, trust and capital agreements, further engage the communities in consultations and finally, to conduct the ratification of the proposed settlement package and create the new First Nation.

The Bigstone Cree Nation is located at Wabasca which is 123 kilometres northeast of Slave Lake.  Four Bigstone Cree Nation reserves surround the community.  Calling Lake is located 60 kilometres north of Athabasca.  Chipewyan Lake is located some 250 kilometres north of Wabasca.  Peerless Lake is located 240 kilometres north of the Slave Lake.  Trout Lake is located about 250 kilometres north of Lesser Slake Lake.

 

Backgrounder - Bigstone Cree Nation and Communities of Calling Lake, Chipewyan Lake, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake Agreement-in-Principle

Frequently Asked Questions - Bigstone Cree Nation and Communities of Calling Lake, Chipewyan Lake, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake Agreement-in-Principle with Canada and Alberta Governments

 

For further information please contact: