Frequently Asked Questions

The 21 First Nation communities in the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory will collectively benefit from the compensation as the funds will be used for community development. A portion of the settlement will also be distributed individually. Guided by the report of the Mizhinawe and discussions between Robinson-Huron First Nations leadership, each community will determine the distribution of individual payments.

The Restoule Litigation was filed on behalf of the 21 First Nations that are in the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory. When the case is finally resolved, each of the 21 First Nations in the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory will get a share of the proceeds from the past compensation amount. You can find a list of the communities on our website here.

The current settlement is for past compensation only – compensation that should have been paid over the last 170 years. Anishinaabe leadership included the annuity clause in the 1850 Robinson Huron Treaty to provide for future generations. Over the last 170 years, our communities have faced many challenges – education, healthcare, and economic opportunities – through the ongoing legacy of colonialism. This proposed settlement is an opportunity for our communities to grow, prosper, and provide that good future for our children.

In the Stage 1 trial, Justice Hennessy found the annuity was a collective amount owed to the Robinson Huron Treaty Anishinaabek. This finding was upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal. This means that the annuity is for the collective benefit of all the Robinson Huron Treaty Anishinaabek; however, there is a portion that will be distributed to individuals for their own individual benefit.

Over the summer of 2023, the Robinson Huron First Nations together with the Mizhinawe will begin a community engagement process that includes consultations with First Nation members and Treaty beneficiaries to share more information and answer questions about the pro-posed settlement.

These sessions will be led by the Honourable Harry S. LaForme in the Office of Mizhinawe for the Robinson Huron Treaty First Nations. Based on the information sessions, the Mizhinawe will prepare a report and recommendations on implementation of the settlement agreement for the Robinson Huron Chiefs and Trustees within the next 6-8 months. You can check the RHTLF website for more information on the Role of the Office of Mizhinawe, details of the process and the Treaty Litigation Fund.

The current negotiations are only addressing the period of 1850 to the present. The Crown will continue to distribute $4.00 to beneficiaries until an agreement is reached on the future implementation of the Augmentation Promise. The go forward approach to resource revenue sharing and annuities will be negotiated after we finalize the past compensation agreement.

The compensation will be distributed to the leadership of the 21 First Nations based on a distribution agreement adopted by First Nation Chiefs and Councils. The First Nations will be responsible for distributing the funds to individual beneficiaries.