Cree lawyer says cows and plows settlements don't reflect spirit of treaty clause

A Saskatchewan-based lawyer says"cows and plows" settlements do not reflect the spirit and intent of treatiesfrom an Indigenous perspective.

Under treaties4,5,6 and 10, the Crown promised agricultural benefitslivestock and farming equipment to the First Nations that signed. That promise went unfulfilled and many First Nations are negotiating settlements for compensation.

DeanneKasokeofrom Poundmaker Cree Nationsays Indigenous values and understanding of treaties need to be at the forefront of any negotiationswith the Canadian government.

"It didn't just mean cows, plows, agriculture,"said Kasokeoof the clause in question.

"It meant livelihood."

Little Red River Cree Nation in Alberta settled itsagricultural benefits claim in 2019.Kasokeofound theagreement online and decided to take a look with her lawyer glasses on. She said what she found worried her.

"The release clause is the clause that you are releasing Canada now and forever from that date for future generations," said Kaseoko.

Kaseoko said First Nations people need to stand strong and assert their rights in these negotiations.

"That's how they beat us, is with that paper," saidKaseoko.

Talking about treaties

Manitoba'sTreaty CommissionerLoretta RosssaidFirst Nations are cautiouswhen it comes to the Crown addressing outstanding treaty obligations,

"For so long we haven't talked about what does treaty mean we've just kind of continued that the Crown has never lived up to treaty," saidRoss.

WATCH |CBC Indigenous explains cows and plows:

What is cows and plows?

9 months ago

Duration 1:35

CBC Indigenous reporter Jennifer Francis simplifies what you need to know about this settlement. Plus, she debunks the myth that cows and plows eliminates your treaty rights.

Ross saidshe's happy people are talking about treaty and what that looks like today.

"It's hard sometimes to move people off the written text because it's easy, I can read it and I can figure it out and interpret some of the provisions myself," saidRoss.

She said the application appraises the treaty in the way that it itemizes livelihood.

Different world views

Hans McCarthy, a member of Frog Lake Cree Nation in Alberta, said 'no' when his community discussed negotiating a claim.

"Indigenous people are always one way or somehow, getting the wrong side of the bargain and we're always being taken advantage of," said McCarthy.

To learn more, he turned toTikTok.

He said the Cree world view needs to reflected in negotiations because the treaty obligation was not meant to just be a one-time payment.

"We can't just forget about our perspective, because that's who we are as our people,"said McCarthy.

"We'll accept this because you owe us it, but that's not the end of it;you still owe us more of it because the treaty is supposed to be for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the rivers flow. We have to continue having these conversations."