The Claims
Treaty 4 was entered into by First Nations residing in southern Saskatchewan, along with small portions of western Manitoba and southeastern Alberta in 1874. In exchange for ceding their traditional lands, members of Treaty 4 First Nations were promised, among other things, an annual payment of $5.00 under Treaty 4 (“Annuity Payment”). In direct violation of the Crown’s promise to provide Treaty 4 First Nations with meaningful economic support under Treaty 4, the Annuity Payment was never indexed, augmented, or increased in the 150 years since Treaty 4 was executed. The Crown’s conduct has decimated the Annuity Payment’s contemporary economic value.
Little Black Bear First Nation and Pascua First Nation brings the proposed class action on behalf of 35 Treaty 4 First Nations, who are signatories, adherents, or successors to Treaty 4. Little Black Bear and Pascua allege breach of treaty and breach of fiduciary duty against the Crown for its failure to index the Annuity Payment or otherwise maintain the real value of that payment.
The Proposed Class
Any First Nation who is a successor in interest to the bands that signed or adhered to Treaty 4.
Updates
- Action commenced, in the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan, on December 23, 2024.
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