Muscowpetung First Nation looks to the future after signing of $98.9M ‘cows and plows’ settlement

WATCH: Mick Favel brings you this week's edition of Indigenous Circle, detailing Muscowpetung First Nation's acceptance of the 'cows and plows' settlement.

The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Rebecca Alty, attended a signing ceremony at Muscowpetung First Nation on July 30, bringing the community’s long wait for their agricultural benefits claim to an end.

The ceremony was attended by Muscowpetung’s chief, band council, and community members to celebrate the signing of an agreement that includes the distribution of a $98.9 million settlement, which has been accumulating for 150 years.

The settlement, known as “cows and plows,” recognizes the Government of Canada’s failure to meet its treaty obligations to help people farm.

The payout will benefit more than 1,300 adults in the community and is a long-awaited acknowledgment of the unfulfilled promises from the Government of Canada. The minors from the community will have their portion of the payout placed in a trust until they turn 18.

“This is a way to look after our future generations … We’re hoping that these funds will empower our people,” Chief Melissa Tavita told CTV News.

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Tavita explained that their focus is on creating sustainable growth for the nation.

“We’re investing in solar energy, business development, and housing. We want to build a future that isn’t reliant on government funding but rather on our own sources of revenue,” she said.

Rebecca Alty, in her first visit to Muscowpetung as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, recognized the significance of the occasion.

“This is my first visit in my new role, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to meet with Chief Tavita, the council, and the residents of this community,” the minister explained. “The settlement is an important step in fulfilling Canada’s treaty obligations, and we are committed to continuing to work in partnership with the Muscowpetung people to address their priorities.”

Alty, who has been in her position for two months, highlighted the importance of acknowledging past wrongs while also working toward a better future.

“This is an opportunity to move forward in a good way,” she added.

Muscowpetung’s economic development arm, Muscowpetung Saulteaux Business Development Ltd. (MSNBD), is already preparing to invest the settlement funds into a wide range of projects.

“This settlement gives us the resources we need to invest in our community’s future. It helps us catch up and puts us on a path to long-term prosperity,” COO Myke Agecoutay said.

The ceremony was also a moment for reflection, as elders and community members gathered to recognize the significance of the settlement.

Elder Art Francis shared the hardships faced by previous generations and the struggles of securing rights to their land.

“In order to sell our own goods, we had to ask permission from the Indian agent. Otherwise, my grandfather would have been arrested,” Francis recalled.

“Today, this settlement represents justice, long overdue.”

Chief Tavita shared a similar statement by acknowledging the community’s long-awaited journey to the agricultural benefit claim.

“Our people were once considered second-class citizens, but today, Canada is making those wrongs right,” she said.

Minister Alty concluded the ceremony by restating her commitment to working closely with Indigenous communities on behalf of the federal government.

“We will continue to be partners in progress,” she said. “This is just the beginning of a new chapter for Muscowpetung, and I look forward to seeing the positive changes that will come.”

The partnership between the First Nation and the Canadian government through the settlement is seen as a positive step in reconciliation, and a working relationship from nation to nation.