Waywayseecappo reaches $288M settlement with Ottawa over forced surrender of their lands

A Manitoba First Nation has reached a $288-million settlement with the federal government based on a historic claim over theforced removalof30 square miles of traditional land more than a century ago.

The citizens of Waywayseecappo First Nationvoted in favour of the pact, with 92 per cent of the 951 voterscasting their support on Monday.

It was an emotional occasion for ChiefMurray Clearskyand many band members.

"We had quite afew crying, tears of joy, and it sure as hell put a lump in my throat, I'll tell you," said Clearsky, who has tried to right this wrong for his community since the1990s.

A long time coming

"I didn't think I would ever see the day it would be settled, it's been a lot of work put into this."

Ottawa's $287.6-million deal is in response to the surrender of approximately 30 square miles or 7,700 hectares of Waywayseecappo land in 1881, the First Nation 281 km northwest of Winnipeg said in a news release.

The settlement would provide each band member with a minimum $2,500initiallyand another $2,500instalmentof cashbefore Christmas. The remaining funds would be set aside in a trust fund and the First Nation would spend the interest.

The immediate need in the community is more housing. There is a backlog of 100-150 homes to be built, Clearsky said.

He's grateful the federal government is making amends.

"Economically, this is abig thing for our community, provide jobs for our community, housing, fornow and for the future," Clearskysaid. "Our plans are toinvestour money and living off the interest for our community members."

The chief said his community would also develop economic development support, specifically forsmall businesses.

The agreement also permits the First Nation to buy back around 21,000 acres of land.

Surrender vote never valid

TheSpecific Claims Research Centre, a research organization partially funded by the federal government, says not enough community members attended the surrender vote in 1881 and thus it happened illegally.

A few years earlier,the government sold lands near the reserveto Joseph Sharman, despite the First Nation already claiming stake to some of theland, the organization said.

When the Crown tried to obtain a legal surrender of 30 square miles of land, including a segment of Sharman's lands, in 1881, the vote went ahead with a fraction of the eligible male voters in attendance. The First Nation, the research centre notes, was never told they were voting on land that had already been surrendered.

Today,Waywayseecappohas a registered population of 2,818 people, according to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, with 1,604 individuals living on reserve.