Nekaneet First Nation [Treaty benefits]

Nekaneet First Nation is located in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan, 40 kilometres southeast of Maple Creek. A signatory of Treaty 4, this Cree First Nation has a membership of 404, including 168 people who live on reserve. The land base consists of 14,568 hectares scattered in and around the Maple Creek area.

In 1913, the Fist Nation received reserve land and its members commenced farming. Through the years, Nekaneet farmers did not receive some of the agricultural assistance – stock, seed, implements – promised them under Treaty 4. In addition, the First Nation did not receive its share of the ammunition and twine benefit promised in Treaty 4.

In February 1987, the Nekaneet First Nation submitted a specific claim to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development seeking compensation under Treaty 4 for outstanding provisions of agricultural benefits, programs and services, annual payments to band members and damages for failure to provide a reserve at the time the treaty was signed in 1874. The claim was accepted by Canada in October 1998.

In July 2002, the Commission’s mediation unit was asked to participate at the negotiation table as mediator/facilitator. Almost immediately, negotiations were interrupted to allow Canada time to undertake a policy review of the modern implementation of treaty benefits relating to the provision of agricultural implements. Negotiations commenced again in July 2004.

Over the past year, the parties have focussed their efforts on understanding and assessing various approaches to valuing the loss of the agricultural benefits and were working with the help of agricultural economists.