Surrender Claim

Approximately 20 years ago, the Peguis First Nation (formerly the St. Peter’s Indian Band) filed a claim under Canada’s Specific Claims Policy asserting that its original Reserve at Selkirk, Manitoba, known as the St. Peter’s Indian Reserve, was wrongfully and illegally taken from the First Nation by Canada in 1907.

On June 29, 1998, Canada finally accepted that the surrender was void and legally invalid due to Canada’s failure to comply with the requirements of the Indian Act of 1906. Canada has agreed to enter into negotiations to compensate the First Nation for its loss. Negotiations are expected to take several years. The First Nation intends to meet regularly with the membership of the First Nation to update the membership on the status of discussions, answer questions and generally keep members informed of progress.