First Nations celebrate long-sought redress on treaty anniversary – Sault Star
Sep 09, 2024
Robinson-Huron signatories share $10B in compensation for underpaid annuities
Indigenous leaders and band members gathered Monday in Lively to celebrate the anniversary of an 1850 treaty and $10 billion in settlement funds that are now being shared among 21 signatory First Nations.
“Today is a good day to be Anishinabe,” said Linda Debassige, grand council chief of the Anishinabek Nation (formerly known as the Union of Ontario Indians). “It’s also a good day to speak about unity.”
Working in concert is “one of the key reasons we’re all hear today,” noted Debassige. “A hundred and seventy-four years ago, our ancestors were united in their negotiations with the British Crown in entering into the Robinson-Huron Treaty.”
That landmark pact was essential to protecting the interest of First Nations and “ensuring our future generations would still be here today,” she said.
