The Garden River First Nation is leading by example, setting aside $200-million in a trust fund for future generations
Doreen Lesage, a great-granddaughter of Chief Shingwaukonse and member of Garden River First Nation, stands next to Knowledge Keeper Darrell Boissoneau, as she runs her hand over a pipe that belonged to Chief Shingwaukonse, as the First Nation community bring their historical land claim to Ontario Legislature in Toronto on May 18, 2023.Ken Coates is a distinguished fellow and director of Indigenous affairs at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.
Many other settlements, however, are collective in nature. When the government compensates a First Nation for lands stripped illegally from a reserve, the funds go to the First Nation. The Indigenous government can, if it chooses, distribute the money to individuals.
The cash infusions are welcome, even if they come with difficult, even painful choices – ones that few other Canadians ever have to make. The settlements stir many emotions among the recipients: relief, anger at the long delays, concern about the scale of the payments and often tense divisions over the best use of the money.
However, the Garden River First Nation, like many other First Nations, opted to divide the financial settlement among individuals and the collective. It is a decision that few, if any, non-Indigenous communities would make.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Helen Chesnut's Garden Notes: What to plant now for a fall or winter gardenSpaces do open as garlic is harvested and spring-sown peas and leafy greens have finished producing. Here's what to plant in their place.
Read more »
Green Thumb Garden Society hosts its first solely-run, self-guided garden tourPart of the Riverboat Days festivities, the tour is hosted on Sunday Aug. 11 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Read more »
Indigenous nation closes B.C.’s Chilcotin River bridge, citing riverbank cracksUnstable river bank leads to bridge closure south of Williams Lake, B.C.
Read more »
Indigenous nation closes B.C.'s Chilcotin River bridge, citing riverbank cracksWILLIAMS LAKE, B.C.
Read more »
Indigenous nation closes B.C.'s Chilcotin River bridge, citing riverbank cracksWILLIAMS LAKE, B.C.
Read more »
Indigenous nation closes B.C.'s Chilcotin River bridge, citing riverbank cracksWILLIAMS LAKE, B.C.
Read more »