May 17, 2024 — (Ottawa, ON) — Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Chacachas Treaty Nation

Today, the Chacachas Treaty Nation and the Government of Canada announced that Chacachas and Canada have taken a key step toward a renewed relationship by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for Advancing Reconciliation.

The co-developed Memorandum will help guide discussions between the parties as they move forward together to reconstitute Chacachas as a Treaty First Nation in a fair and just manner. This collaborative work will be based on the Federal Court’s 2020 decision in Watson-Bear, where they found that the Crown unlawfully combined the historic Chacachas Band with Ochapowace First Nation in 1884. The Court found that Chacachas is entitled to assert ongoing Treaty rights under Treaty 4 as a distinct Treaty First Nation with constitutionally protected rights.

While the Memorandum of Understanding announced today does not resolve the Watson-Bear litigation, it is part of the process of trying to find fair and just solutions outside of the courts that work for all parties. 

The Memorandum sets out how facilitated discussions will take place between Chacachas and Canada and what topics will be covered as the parties work together to try to find common ground for moving into formal negotiations. Topics that will be explored under the Memorandum include for example: how to re-establish Chacachas as a Treaty First Nation in keeping with the Court’s decision, as well as self-government arrangements and co-operative measures to preserve and protect Chacachas’ culture, language and heritage. 

The Memorandum is the result of ongoing discussions and is an example of how Canada is working with Indigenous partners to renew the relationship, support the work of nation rebuilding and promote a lasting and meaningful reconciliation.