Chiniki, Goodstoney won’t join Bearspaw’s Treaty 7 annuity class action – LakelandToday.ca
December 20, 2024
Chiniki, Goodstoney leaders say they weren’t contacted about Bearspaws class-action lawsuit against the feds.
ÎYÂRHE NAKODA – Two of the three Îyârhe Nakoda First Nations say they will not join Bearspaw First Nation’s recently launched class action lawsuit against the federal government over Treaty 7 annuity payments, citing a lack of consultation and an ongoing commitment to a negotiated settlement approach.
Chiniki First Nation and Goodstoney First Nation learned about Bearspaw’s legal action – which seeks to increase the historic $5 annuity set in 1877 to match current economic realities – at the same time as the general public.
According to interviews with Chiniki and Goodstoney officials, there was no prior contact or invitation to join the class action before Bearspaw’s Nov. 26 announcement.
