"History was made in Saskatchewan in September 1992, when a century-old debt was paid and the relationship between Saskatchewan's First Nations and the rest of the province was settled.

The signing of the Treaty Land Entitlement framework agreement would transfer nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars to the First Nations, to purchase land to satisfy outstanding land entitlements under treaty.

It was an auspicious occasion, with the chiefs of 27 First Nations, prime minister Brian Mulroney, several federal cabinet ministers, and premier Roy Romanow along with appropriate provincial ministers all gathered at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

Under the terms of the treaties, reserve land was to be set aside at the rate of 640 acres for a family of five, or 128 acres a person. For various reasons a number of Saskatchewan reserves were surveyed with a smaller land base than warranted by the population.

This was known as the shortfall acres, and in some cases it was substantial. My reserve, Little Pine, was surveyed at 16,000 acres and the shortfall was determined to be more than 30,000 acres. In addition equity acres were negotiated to compensate for the loss of the use of the land and the growing population.

The issue had simmered for years in Indian Country. I grew up with the knowledge that we had been shortchanged. It was a part of our common knowledge."

Get the Story:
Doug Cuthand: Sask. must respect spirit of TLE agreement (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 10/29)