Final arguments begin Monday, June 4th at a Sudbury hotel in the Robinson Huron Treaty annuities case.
The trial began September 2017 in Thunder Bay and has moved throughout the RHT territory.
Twenty-one Anishinabek communities launched court proceedings with Ottawa and the province last September for failure to implement terms of the treaty dating back to 1850.
Beneficiaries claim they have not received an increase to the $4 annuity since 1874.
Dean Sayers is the RHT annuities case spokesperson and Batchewana First Nation Chief. He hopes to see the treaty augmentation clause modernized.
“I’m looking forward to hearing the chronological summary, all the way up to where we are today. It may not be the prettiest story, but it is the truth about how we came to where we are.” said Sayers.
David Nahwegahbow is the RHT lawyer.
“A major part of this case is about resurgence of Anishinaabe law, Anishinaabe culture, and Anishinaabe people. We want to make sure that Anishinaabe law is well recognized, that the court hears the important historical context of the time and that the court understands what Anishinaabe law is.” said Nahwegahbow.
The case is precedent setting because it is the first time a court case is being heard on both the merits of Canadian and Anishinaabe Law, which has historically leaned heavily towards the Canadian side.
Remaining closing hearing dates of phase 1 are:
- June 4- 8
- June 14 – 15
- June 18 – 22
A ruling is expected in the coming months and if a settlement is not reached, the process will enter phase two in the spring of 2019.
