Siksika Nation is looking to remove itself from a class action lawsuit started by members of the Bearspaw First Nation.
Late last year Bearspaw started the suit over treaty annuities which they said is for all Treaty 7 nations.
"Siksika Nation started its own treaty annuities litigation in September 2023. The litigation alleges that Canada’s failure to adjust the $5 annuity payment for inflation is a breach of its obligations under the Treaty. Since 1877, Canada has always paid $5 per year to each member, mentioned Siksika in a news release.
"With inflation, $5 has significantly less value today than it did in 1877. This undermines the promises Canada made as part of the Blackfoot Treaty."
Ouray Crowfoot, chief of Siksika mentioned that with the nation's own litigation it can promote the interests of its members.
"Our nation can make its own choices without being forced to compromise with other Treaty 7 nations. We can avoid handing over a large amount of any compensation to the class action lawyers. Our litigation also respects the important nation-to-nation relationship that the Blackfoot treaty established, reinforcing to Canada the need to deal directly with the Siksika Nation, on our terms."
StrathmoreNow has reached out to Siksika for comment, and we will provide an update once we hear back.