Canada compensated the indigenous people for the seizure of their lands a century ago

The Canadian government will pay the Aboriginal Sikska in the country’s west 1.3 billion Canadian dollars (about 1.034 million US dollars) in compensation for the theft of their lands more than a century ago.

The payment is part of an agreement signed Thursday by the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeauand chief of the Sikska tribe, Orai Crowfootin the traditional Aboriginal group area, east of Calgary.

The compensation agreement, which, according to the government, is one of the largest that Ottawa has signed with a group of Aboriginal people, It would allow Siksika to acquire up to 465 square kilometers of land, the same amount taken from them in 1910.

Trudeau described the agreement with Sexica as “historic” and said so “Corrects an earlier mistake made by the Government of Canada.”

Kravot expressed himself in similar terms, and confirmed it “Canada Doesn’t Give $1.3 Billion to Saxika. Canada Corrects a Mistake Made Over a Century ago When It Illegally Seized (465 Square Kilometers) of Land.”

This compromise was only possible because of the community’s call, leadership and determination to take back what was their right after generations of oppression. We tell them: We are committed to working with you – as true partners – to build a better future.

—Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 2, 2022

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in 1910And the Canada captured nearly half of the territory corresponding to Sisica according to the A The treaty was signed in 1877 Between the government and five indigenous groups.

Canada took the land with the best farmland and areas with great mining potential to sell to settlers.

For more than 60 years, the Césica has been trying to get Canada to recognize the illegality of their actions and get compensation.

Since Trudeau came to power in 2015, the Canadian politician has said that Reconciliation with the indigenous population is one of their priorities.

But today, Croft, with Trudeau at his side, announced that Canadian authorities need to stop using the word reconciliation: “They will never reconcile. They will never be able to reform and go back to what was before,” Crowfoot noted.