FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION – As a large First Nation, Fort William will receive about 17 per cent of whatever it and the 11 other Robinson Superior Treaty nations receive in compensation for historical underpayment in treaty annuities, Chief Michele Solomon says.
That comes out to at least $640 million, maybe more.
The amount going to Fort William First Nation could rise because the total the 12 Robinson Superior First Nations receive could be more than the $3.6 billion offered by the Crown in January, depending on what an Ontario Superior Court judge decides after hearings this month in Thunder Bay.
Solomon says the settlement money means a lot to her First Nation of about 2,800 people.
“I mean, youth and members are excited at the possibility that this could change their life in some way, because you’re talking about people who have been economically marginalized for all their lives, for some people, for most people.
“There is not a great history of inter-generational wealth in our families. We don’t often have homes passed down to us and things of this nature because those things have been so scarce in our community.”
The Robinson-Superior First Nations rejected a $3.6-billion offer from the federal and provincial governments in January and appealed to a Superior Court judge to order the Crown to pay more as redress for a century and a half of underpayments in a perpetual annuity required under the 1850 treaty.
The annuity remained at $4 per person since 1875, though it was supposed to increase based on wealth derived from treaty territory.
The Supreme Court last July found the Crown in breach of its treaty duties and gave the two sides six months to reach a settlement.
In late January the Crown offered $3.6 billion as compensation, but the First Nations decided the offer was insufficient.
Superior Court Justice Patricia Hennessy is hearing arguments in Thunder Bay this month to decide how much the First Nations are owed, but the amount won’t be less than the $3.6 million already offered.
Fort William is among six First Nations that can receive annuity money immediately. The others are Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon), Michipicoten, Red Rock, Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay) and Whitesand.
Another six First Nations in the treaty region – Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Long Lake #58, Pays Plat and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg – must resolve their title claims first.
Solomon would not disclose how her First Nation’s $640 million or more will be distributed among band members.