Garden River decides on minimum $110K treaty payout for each band member

Leadership in Garden River First Nation has made a decision to provide registered band members a minimum payout of $110,000 each from the Robinson Huron Treaty settlement funds.

Council has also decided to include all registered citizens with Indigenous Services Canada as of Sept. 9, 2023 in the payout, according to a news release issued by the First Nation Wednesday. 

“This move aims to ensure equal treatment for all citizens,” the release said. “The council will seek legal advice on handling debts to the band and applicants who applied for status before the cutoff date but received their registration number afterward.”

The total settlement amount for Garden River is approximately $610 million. An additional $40 million to $50 million is expected from the 'war chest fund' that was reduced from 10 per cent to 5 per cent of the $10-billion annuities settlement earlier this year. 

"This settlement is a significant milestone for our community,” said Garden River First Nation Chief Karen Bell in the release. “We are dedicated to managing these funds responsibly and ensuring they benefit both current and future generations of Garden River First Nation."

Garden River has also announced that a total of $200 million will be allocated to a “legacy trust” as part of the First Nation’s commitment to addressing both immediate and long-term needs.

Community engagement sessions will begin next week in an effort to gather input from band members in order to determine how trust funds will be used and how additional money will be distributed. 

"We are committed to keeping our members informed throughout this process,” said Garden River First Nation Coun. Chester Langille, who is also the community’s trustee for the settlement. “Significant engagement with smaller, targeted meetings was a request of the community last year and is essential to building trust and ensuring everyone understands the implications of these decisions."