Notice to beneficiaries of the Robinson Huron Treaty
Press Release
You and your First Nation may be affected by a court application to assess the lawyers’ fees on the past annuities settlement.
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Garden River First Nation have commenced a court application against the lawyers of the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund (RHTLF) and members of the RHTLF’s Litigation Management Committee. The application says that the lawyers’ fees were too high and it asks the court to reduce them (the “Assessment Application”).
On April 22, 2024, the trustees of the RHTLF approved a legal fees proposal for $510 million, of which the lawyers would keep $255 million and give $255 million to certain causes associated with the Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations.
The lawyers’ fees will be paid from the $10 billion settlement for past annuities owed to beneficiaries of the Robinson Huron Treaty. This means that a reduction of the legal fees paid to the lawyers may increase the amount distributed to beneficiaries, which may affect you and your First Nation.
On September 29, 2025, and October 1, 3 and 6, 2025, the court will hear evidence from Elders and argument from the parties’ lawyers in relation to the assessment of the lawyers’ fees. The court may decide the Assessment Application or it may reserve judgment and release its decision some time in the future.
YOU CAN WATCH THE COURT HEARING
The court hearing has been scheduled for four days, beginning at
10 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, and continuing at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025; Friday, October 3, 2025; and, Monday, October 6, 2025. All beneficiaries of the Robinson Huron Treaty are welcome to watch the hearing, either in person at the Courthouse or by videoconference.
The Courthouse is located on University Avenue in Toronto. The courtroom and videoconference link will be available closer to the date of the hearing. This will be posted on the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund’s website (www.rht1850.ca) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/RobinsonHuronTreatyAnnuities1850).
PUBLICATION BAN
Individuals watching the hearing are advised that it will likely be subject to a publication ban. Where a publication ban is ordered, those watching the hearing will not be permitted to publish in any media format (for example, on social media) the contents of the proceeding (or portions of the proceeding) as directed by the order. All attendees should listen carefully to the court’s instructions on any such publication ban.
ILR4
