This morning, the Chief of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the federal government’s Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations announced that a settlement has been reached to help compensate from the repercussions of the 1919 Soldier Settlement Act.
Under the Act in, each returning veteran from World War I was entitled to receive land after he returned from war. Over 72,000 acres of reserve land was taken from First Nations communities to do so. In Muskeg Lake, nearly 9,000 acres was taken.
A news release from the federal government says the compensation for Muskeg Lake is $127.9-million, and the agreement also provides the option to acquire almost 9,000 acres of land and have it added to their reserve.
Chief Kelly Wolfe says, “While the initial decision of Canada to expropriate lands created hardship for our community, we survived. We view this settlement as an investment in our future.”
The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is about 93 kilometres north of Saskatoon, bordered by the towns of Marcelin, Leask and Blaine Lake.
(CJWW)