HATCHET LAKE DENESULINE FIRST NATION, Sask. — A settlement agreement has been reached for Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation for a treaty land entitlement claim under the Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan will provide $29,602,664 as full and final compensation for this claim.
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is providing $23,250,513 as part of the settlement agreement, while the Province of Saskatchewan will provide $6,352,152.
Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation can also apply to add up to 28,118 acres of land in line with the federal Additions to Reserve Policy on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis, according to the government's news release.
The announcement was made Tuesday at the First Nation by Chief Bartholomew J. Tsannie of Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation, Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger and Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Eric Schmalz.
According to the news release from the federal government, the treaty land entitlement claim came about after the Government of Canada failed to provide Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation with the full amount of land it was entitled to receive under Treaty 10.
The Crown was required under that treaty to set aside 640 acres per family of five, or 128 acres per person.
"This settlement has been a long time coming for the people of Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation,” said Chief Tsannie in a statement.
“Our ancestors entered into Treaty 10 with the understanding that its promises would be honoured, including the land that was owed to our people. Today, we honour the generations who carried this claim forward and whose determination brought us here. This agreement gives our Nation an opportunity to invest in our community and create a stronger future for our children and grandchildren.”
"Treaties are promises, and for too long, the promises made to Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation under Treaty 10 were not fully honoured,” Belanger said in a statement.
“This settlement cannot undo that history, but it recognizes the wrong that was done and takes a meaningful step toward righting it. I'm proud that Canada is fulfilling its responsibility and helping create new opportunities for Hatchet Lake to invest in its land, its community, and its future."
"Reaching this settlement together, we help support Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation in a meaningful way with new opportunities for community development, investment and long-term growth,” said Schmalz in a statement. “Saskatchewan continues working with First Nations and the Government of Canada to strengthen relationships and support a stronger future for Indigenous communities across our province, while honouring outstanding obligations."
