Sturgeon Lake First Nation [1913 surrender]

In August 1996, the First Nation requested that the Commission conduct an inquiry into this claim respecting alleged irregularities in the surrender vote of 1913. The inquiry was placed in abeyance in December 1996 while both parties conducted supplementary research. In May 1998, the government advised the First Nation that its review of the claim had disclosed no lawful obligation and in June, the First Nation asked the Commission to resume the inquiry. The inquiry was placed in abeyance again in April 1999, at the First Nation’s request. In November 2002, the First Nation asked the Commission to resume the inquiry. After a series of conference calls and a planning conference in 2003, issues for the inquiry were resolved and an agreed statement of facts was addressed. Canada expects to conduct further research over the coming months. The staff visit to prepare for the community session has been held.