Opaskwayak researching agricultural benefits claims

From the Executive Office of the Chief and Council

Public Notice: Opaskwayak researching agricultural benefit claims

At AFN this summer, former Minister Marc Miller made a public commitment to resolve outstanding Specific Claims, in particular agricultural benefits claims (“Cows and Ploughs”).

Opaskwayak Chief and Council are committed to pursuing Canada for its failure to uphold their fiduciary obligations under the treaty.

The Cows and Ploughs claims has three (3) requirements to meet the “minimum standard”:

• a legal claim;
• historical report, and
• historical documents.

On August 8, 2023, Chief and Council took steps to retain a historical expert, Joan Holmes & Associates, to assist Opaskwayak in gathering documents and researching its “Cows and Ploughs” claim. This work will take six (6) months.

Once done, Opaskwayak will have completed 2 of the 3 requirements to file a claim. The legal team will review the historical report and draft a claim on behalf of Opaskwayak and its members to seek compensation for breach of the treaty, including the failure to provide agricultural benefits to our members.

Once the claim is filed, Canada has 3.5 years to assess the claim before entering negotiations or rejecting it.

Ekosi,

 Rhonda Ross, Chief Executive Officer  

Jennifer Lavallee-Bignell, Chief Administrative Officer   

Olumide Soyele, Chief Financial Officer

This Public Notice was also posted on the Opaskwayak Communications’ Facebook and Twitter pages on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

You can download the PDF version here: Opaskwayak researching agricultural benefits claims