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AUGUST 17, 2019 Battleford
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New Museum Looks Back at Land Surveying
Possibly millions more for Mosquito Historical claims adding up By Josh Greschner Staff Reporter
Past government actions are resulting in large amounts of money for nearby First Nations. On July 18, the government of Canada and First
Murder
Arrests and court appearances Page 2
Sports Hall of Fame inductees Page 10
News Rooming house opens Page 3
Nations in Treaty 4 and 6 marked the settlement of various claims against the government. Claim amounts concerned treaty annuity payments the government unlawfully withheld from First Nations people during the Northwest Rebellion period between 1885 and 1888. “As we build a new future with First Nations, reconciliation requires that we acknowledge the wrongs of the past and work collaboratively with First Nations to take the necessary steps to respectfully resolve them,” Minister of CrownIndigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett said in a recent news release. Settlement claim figures range from more than $2 million for Thunderchild First Nation, to nearly $7 million for Onion Lake Cree Nation. Nearly $2.4 million is for Red Pheasant Cree Nation, more than $4,828,000 is for Poundmaker, nearly $6 million is for Mosquito, more than $6.5 million is for Sweetgrass and nearly
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$6.9 million is for Little Pine. At a Mosquito band meeting in June, Calgarybased lawyer Ron Maurice spoke about the First Nation’s settlement claims. The Treaties Annuities Claim is one form of claim First Nations have been filing against the government. According to a Specific Claims newsletter Maurice gave to band members which was provided to the News-Optimist, the “rebellion losses” claim was one part of the First Nation’s treaty annuities claim. Compound interest increases five dollar payments owed over 100 years to nearly $6 million today. “If every penny of that had gone into a bank account, [the money] would have accumulated interest over that time,” Maurice said. In 2016, Justice Harry Slade accepted compensation that takes compound interest into account. Beardy’s and Okemasis First Continued on Page 7
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The Saskatchewan Land Surveyors Association is now operating a museum out of the old Land Titles building near the former Government House, through an agreement with the Town of Battleford, owner of the property. The site is the first-known and oldest-standing brick building built in the province. See Page 6. Photo by Jayne Foster
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