Bigstone Cree Nation [Treaty land entitlement]

The Commission released its report on the Bigstone Cree Nation claim in March 2000 outlining the information gathered in inquiry. The report made no recommendations because in October 1998 the government agreed that the First Nation had a valid claim to more land under Treaty 8. The acceptance came mid-inquiry as a result of the Commission’s work on TLE and the resulting 1998 changes in federal policy. The claim relates to whether federal representatives, in their surveys, included the total population of all Bigstone Cree settlements as required by Treaty 8. Many band members lived in isolated settlements, some adhered to Treaty 8 at later dates, and many community members were still leading a semi-nomadic life at that time. The TLE claim was rejected by DIAND in 1989 and again in 1996, after which the First Nation brought it to the Commission. The parties are now negotiating a settlement.

Response: In October 1998, government accepted claim for negotiation.

To download the government's response - PDF

To download the report - PDF