Standing Buffalo inks land deal

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Stephen LaRose, Sage Writer, Standing Buffalo, Dakota Nation

The Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation has ratified a land claim deal that resolves a six-decade long grievance against the federal government.

In a March 1 plebiscite, band members voted to accept a $3.6 million settlement, resolving a dispute between the First Nation and the federal government that began in the early 1940s.

The band launched its claim against the federal government, which is responsible for the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Agency (PFRA) administered dams along the river. The band sought compensation for specific damages caused when land was flooded after the dams were first built in the early 1940s, and also after a run-off in 1976 resulted in high water levels in Echo Lake and the Qu'Appelle River, flooding parts of the reserve.

In total, about 56 acres on the reserve were flooded because of the dams. The band received $15,000 from Ottawa in compensation in 1977, a settlement that band council at the time said was inadequate.

The band initially turned over its claim to the Qu'Appelle Valley Development Authority, which represents many First Nations bands along the river system. However, the band voted in 1998 to negotiate its own agreement with Ottawa.

"We had our own interests and we thought that we would be able to advance the claim a lot faster," said the band's acting chief, Roger Redman.

After paying legal fees, the band will purchase a section of land and have it converted to reserve status within the next five years, he said, adding that the band will also establish a seven- person advisory committee to assist band council to determine how the money should be spent.

"We're negotiating with banks right now to put this money in a revenue trust account until we have time to develop the advisory board," Redman said.

"It will give direction to the council on where they would want this money going. The board will consist of people with technical experience, people with education, people with social backgrounds, people with finance backgrounds, Elders, and with representation from off-reserve members."

While the federal government doesn't admit guilt or wrongdoing, the settlement addresses the issues of losses sustained by past and future use of reserve land for the PFRA's water management system.