A northern Alberta First Nation is suing the federal government to increase its annual treaty annuity payments.
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam says the $5 his members receive every year is an amount that’s stuck in 1899, when Treaty 8 was signed.
The payments date back to the signing of treaties across the country more than a century ago and were meant to provide assistance to First Nations members.
Depending on the treaty, annuity payments made to First Nations members across Canada total either $4 or $5, and have never increased.
In a news release Wednesday, Adam said Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s ancestors signed Treaty 8 with the expectation the benefits would continue for generations and not lose value over time.
“Treaty promises must remain meaningful, and it is not meaningful when a promise made in 1899 is still being paid at 1899 values,” Adam said.
“This case is about keeping promises.”
Get weekly money news
First Nations across Canada, including other Treaty 8 signatories, have also launched legal challenges over the payment amount in recent years, and in 2023 Ottawa and the Ontario government reached a $10-billion settlement with 21 First Nations in that province.
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation isn’t seeking damages for alleged underpayment for the past 127 years, but in a statement of claim filed Tuesday in Edmonton it says it wants the annuity program modernized to deliver meaningful help.
The claim notes the purchasing power of $5 has declined significantly since the treaty was signed and that there was never any mention of inflation when it was being negotiated.
One online calculator pegs $5 in 1899 to be worth roughly $200 in today’s cash.
“The benefits promised under Treaty 8 must have real value for First Nations people today and for generations to come,” Adam said.
The Crown-Indigenous Relations department said it was aware of the lawsuit but that it was unable to comment further because the matter is before the courts.
And Alberta’s first nation wants to stick with the federal government as a whole instead of separating with BC Alberta it’s a Saskatchewan.
Tax paying Canadians are fed up with the never ending flow of money to First Nations without any accountability. When does it end? A financial audit would help to reconcile.
Indian lawsuits against the government is an industry in Canada
End the Indian Avt immediately, sink or swim
Many items in the treaties should have been removed and updated 49 years ago. Enhance that ones that help you, ignore the items that ridiculous and hurt the rest of the country.
Always looking for more cash. Perpetual victims in their own minds.
Un-Honourable CANADIAN CITIZENS Gođ Judges Day-By-Day
Reporting Live from Station “D” Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. We Renegades for Life, Outlaws Forever. 💙💙🏴☠️🇸🇴🇨🇦💙💙
Broken Treaties
so the approximately $34 billion Canadian tax payers give 1.1 First Nations people isn’t enough???? Seriously…..
When I agreed to invest, I just assumed my investments would raise in value forever. It’s your fault they haven’t. You owe me what I think I should have reaped.
Good ol Chief Adam – the sue happy king of pot stirring.
Ahh another weekly lawsuit from the indigenous.
Get a job !
We should have integrated the indigenous into society like other countries instead of sticking them on reserves in the middle of nowhere
Statute of limitations. Get a job and pay taxes.
Stop demanding $$$$$.
You lost!…get over it and join the today’s reality!
$5 is still too much for what they have done.
Do nothing, get nothing.
Why do they get any money the rest of us have to work for a living.
The demand for handouts will never end.
These are a defeated people . We, as tax payers, are sick and tired of this going on and on. We have to work for the money the money they get ,for doing nothing. We had nothing to do with what happened 150 years ago. Get real !!!!!
As usual the natives want more money for doing squat. Yes lets renegotiate how much you cost us.
First audit every chief on all reserves.
They should be lucky to keep it at $5. All the money that we are spending on them, when they continue to break the treaty by fighting the rest of Canada in court…
the Canadians that fund the federal coffers are getting fed up with the money we are spending on the few entitled people.
Getting so tired of all these Fake Nation lawsuits and demands. Well past the time to end it once and for all.
Does fn ever stop grifting? Governments and the courts need to put an end to the race card playing. Canadians are not here to support them for forever
go get a job like everyone else
They have been paid enough! Stop this nonsense!