'We want justice': Lawsuit claims feds owe $11 billion to Treaty 1 First Nations
An annual $5 payment to members of seven First Nations has remained the same for more than 150 years, but one man is hoping to change that.
Zongidaya Nelson is suing the federal government for $11 billion, or whatever amount is determined by the court, on the behalf of his Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation and the six other First Nations in Manitoba that signed Treaty 1 in 1871.
“We want justice. We're tired,” Nelson said in a Wednesday press conference.
Since 1874, as part of an amendment to the original $3 payment amount, members of the seven First Nations have been given $5 per year.
That amount hasn’t changed since 1874.
Jason Zushman, one of the lawyers representing the claim, said the price of gold, inflation, and the Consumer Price Index could affect the amount owed in the lawsuit, which will determined by the court.
At the time when Treaty 1 was signed - people could get a basket of goods with blankets, clothing, traps and other things that would be worth a total of $5 in Montreal instead of the cash.
"Obviously, $5 in current day buys something entirely different than it would have in 1871 - even when accounting for the increase that was paid out in the $5 increase,” Jason Zushman, one of the lawyers representing the claim said.
Terrance Nelson, Zongidaya’s uncle, says for most people, the $5 is a recognition of the promises made in Treaty 1.
"It’s not just the $5,” he said. “It's very, very important for people to understand. There are a lot more benefits that were supposed to be there."
Their family has been vocally disagreeing with the integrity of Treaty 1 since witnessing its signing in 1871.
"Reconciliation requires that the Crown act fairly and honourably in its dealings with the First Nations people,” Zongidaya said. “That's where we're at. We’re trying.”
Norman Rosenbaum, senior associate with Merchant Law Group in Winnipeg said, "the treaty is a living organism in a relationship. And the idea of true reconciliation means that one lives up to one’s bargain."
Zongidaya says this lawsuit could take decades - hoping it won't take another 152 years to update this payment.
He says because of the unknown timeline, it's too far in the future to estimate what will be done with the money if they win the lawsuit.
Indigenous Services Canada says it received the claim, which was first filed in 2019, and the most recent amendment in November.
"Honouring the Treaty relationship and working together in partnership with First Nations is key to advancing lasting reconciliation," it says in a statement. "Canada will continue to work co-operatively with Treaty One First Nations to make progress together on shared priorities to help strengthen our ongoing Treaty relationship and advance reconciliation."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Prince Harry, Meghan arrive in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games and meet with wounded soldiers
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on Friday to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans, among them Nigerian soldiers fighting a 14-year war against Islamic extremists.
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.