The Canadian government will pay the Siksika, an indigenous group in the west of the country, 1.3 billion Canadian dollars (regarding 1.034 million US dollars) in compensation for the theft of their land more than a century ago.
The payment is part of an agreement signed Thursday by the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeauand the tribal chief of the Siksika, Ouray Crowfootin the traditional territory of the indigenous group, east of the city of Calgary.
The compensation agreement, which, according to the Government, is one of the largest signed by Ottawa with an indigenous group, It will allow the Siksika to acquire up to 465 square kilometers of territory, the same amount that was taken from them in 1910.
Trudeau called the agreement with the Siksika historic and said that “corrects a past mistake made by the Government of Canada.”
Crowfoot expressed himself in similar terms, who assured that “Canada is not giving $1.3 billion to the Siksika. Canada is correcting a mistake made over a century ago when it illegally took (465 square kilometers of) land.”
This settlement was only possible because of the community’s advocacy, leadership, and determination to restore what is rightfully theirs following generations of injustices. To them, we say: We are committed to working with you – as true partners – to build a better future.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 2, 2022
HISTORY
In 1910, Canada seized almost half of the territory that corresponded to the Siksika according to a treaty signed in 1877 between the Government and five indigenous groups.
Canada seized the land, which included the best agricultural land and areas with great mining potential, to sell to settlers.
For more than 60 years, the Siksika have tried to get Canada to acknowledge the illegality of their actions and obtain compensation.
Since Trudeau came to power in 2015, the Canadian politician has said that reconciliation with the indigenous is one of their priorities.
But today, Crowfoot, with Trudeau at his side, declared that the Canadian authorities need to stop using the word reconciliation: “They will never achieve reconciliation. They will never be able to repair and return to what was before,” Crowfoot pointed out.
