Namaygoosisagagun Ojibway Nation Appears in Supreme Court “Robinson Treaties” Appeal, Strongly Challenges Ontario’s Failure to Act Honourably
- Posted by Shelby Percival
- Posted in BlogsNews
Today, November 8, 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada will be hearing the appeal of the Restoule et al “Robinson Treaties” litigation. Falconers LLP has the honour of appearing on behalf of Namaygoosisagagun Ojibway Nation, an Added Party Plaintiff in this case.
Web Link: Public Livestream of Robinson Treaties Appeal:
https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/webcast-webdiffusion-eng.aspx?cas=40024
This Treaty claim, dating back more than 150 years, involves the Crown’s historic and ongoing failure to increase payments of Treaty “annuities” under the Robinson-Superior and Robinson-Huron treaties of 1850. Despite an express promise to increase “annuities” based on Canada and Ontario’s resource wealth from the Treaty land, the payments have remained “capped” at $4.00 per person since 1850.
In 2022, Namaygoosisagagun was added to Stage 3 of these proceedings as an Added Party Plaintiff, in recognition of its contingent interest to Treaty benefits if and when it is recognized as a Treaty beneficiary. Namaygoosisagagun’s ongoing efforts to be recognized under the Treaty remain the subject of separate, Court-supervised proceedings.
Media Coverage
Amy Dempsey & Joy SpearChief-Morris, The Toronto Star (Nov. 9, 2023) – “Supreme Court of Canada hears case on broken treaty promises with up to $126-billion award on the line”
Sean Fine, The Globe and Mail (Nov. 9, 2023) – “Indigenous Groups argue at the Supreme Court of Canada they are owed billions in historical redress”
CTV News Northern Ontario (Nov. 8, 2023) – “Top court hearing Robinson-Huron Treaty appeal”
Aya Dufour, CBC News (Nov. 7, 2023) – “Supreme Court of Canada hears Ontario’s appeal of landmark Robinson Huron treaty annuities case”
James Hopkin, Elliot Lake Today (Nov. 7, 2023) – “Ontario takes Robinson Huron Treaty appeal to Supreme Court”