This most recent land claims settlement will be divided between the three First Nations that currently make up James Smith Cree Nation 370; however, talks about becoming independent nations have been ongoing for some time. From left: James Smith Cree Nation Chief Kirby Constant, Peter Chapman First Nation Chief Robert Head, and Chakastaypasin Band Chief Calvin Sanderson. (File photo/paNOW)

By paNOW Staff

An independent future

$713.8M settlement ends James Smith Cree Nation land claim fight, but division talks remain

Dec 19, 2025 | 6:17 PM

A decades long battle with the federal government for a settlement over a series of complex land claims is finally over for James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) #370, but conflict remains as the three First Nations involved now have to decide how much each of them receive.

On Thursday, the Joint Chiefs of JSCN, Chief Calvin Sanderson of Chakastaypasin, Chief Kirby Constant of James Smith, and Chief Robert Head of Peter Chapman, and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty, announced a $713.8 million settlement agreement. The government said the compensation is meant to address several past wrongs.

“These grievances include the invalid surrender and sale of the Chakastaypasin IR98 reserve, a Treaty land entitlement shortfall of 2,944 acres owed to James Smith under the terms of Treaty 6, and the Peter Chapman share of the invalid surrender claim for IR100A. A portion of the compensation provided also acknowledges the impacts of the wrongful amalgamation on the three First Nations dating back to 1902,” read a government press release.

Chakastaypasin Band of the Cree Nation Chief Calvin Sanderson said the Indian Act prevented the three First Nations from being able to negotiate separate claims.

“And that’s the unfortunate thing is that Canada is making us have internal arguments amongst ourselves over money now and decide whose money is going to Chakastaypasin and whose money is going to Peter Chapman and James Smith and that’s one of the obstacles,” said Sanderson. “We have to mediate amongst ourselves.”

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Despite that, Sanderson said he’s glad Canada ‘stepped up to the plate to correct the wrongs from the past.’

James Smith Cree Nation is located about 60 kilometres east of Prince Albert. (File photo/paNOW)

He said the ultimate goal is to restore independent status for each band so they can plan their own futures when it comes to administration, housing, and economic development.

Chakastaypasin has already started to build housing for members. They purchased non-reserve land north of Melfort, but they’d like to get back into the area of their initial IR98 reserve, which is located just west of Birch Hills.

“Settlers did buy that land, and that was one of our arguments, is why do we have to go buy our own land back when it was surveyed under Treaty 6 for Chakastaypasin? But that’s the unfortunate thing, is that we have to buy a new land base, whether it’s IR98 or surrounding communities. Our vision is to try and move back and get our people back to IR98,” Sanderson said.

Part of the housing development by Peter Chapman Band. (PCB/Facebook)

Peter Chapman Band is building a new subdivision north of Beatty in the IR100A area. The development includes a new band office, public works garage and housing.

“We all want to move on our own way and not in an angry way. We want to have our own canoes. We don’t want to be all three in one canoe. We need our separate canoes to move forward and still work on economic development,” Sanderson said.

Part of his vision as Chief is to invest the settlement money and allow it to grow while using interest to create more opportunities with housing and other investments.

“We’ve got to start looking at the future for the next generation, for them to have money and be prosperous…either be entrepreneuers, or pilots or upgrade post-secondary if they want to get their masters.”

But he said they’ll also continue to work with the other First Nations on partnerships like the medical imaging clinic JSCN opened in Saskatoon.

JSCN Chief Kirby Constant said the settlement announced Thursday marks an historic step forward.

“For generations, the James Smith Cree Nation has carried the weight of unfulfilled promises, broken agreements, and the lasting impacts of forced amalgamation. This settlement is not the end of our journey, but it is an important recognition for those wrongs and a foundation for renewal.”

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada said over the past five years, 229 claims have been resolved for nearly $15.1 billion in compensation.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com