Alberta tribe settles land claim

An Indian tribe in Alberta was recently compensated by the federal government in a claim over loss of mineral rights.

The Stoney tribe, who lives about 50 km west of Calgary, signed a settlement providing it with $19.6 million as compensation for loss of past and future rentals, bonuses and royalties from gas production. The claim was filed in 1984 alleging wrongful alienation of minerals associated with the land surrendered in 1929 for hydro development. Included in the surrender were 552 hectares of reserve land to allow for increased hydroelectric generating capacity of the Bow River.

The funds may be used to purchase the sub-surface mineral title as part of the final settlement of the tribe’s land claim. A portion of the funds are earmarked by the tribe’s bands for economic development initiatives on the reserve.

In 1986, Alberta’s Fort Chipewyan band agreed to a land entitlement settlement which included $26.6 million in cash and 12,275 acres of land.