If the two signatories share the land, the terms of the treaty must be upgraded to reflect the reality of the present technology.

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The agriculture benefits settlement is becoming more of an opportunity lost than a victory gained.

Several years ago, First Nations in Treaty 8 successfully negotiated with the federal government and it was determined that the agricultural benefits due to them under treaty were never delivered. This settlement was extended to other First Nations that were signatories to the numbered treaties.

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As part of the settlement with the federal government, the clause for agriculture benefits was stricken from the treaty, which was overreach on their part. When we look at the treaties that were negotiated between the First Nations and the Crown, there are several principles that must be recognized.

First, the treaties are living documents. If the two signatories live together and share the land, the terms of the treaty must be upgraded to reflect the reality of the present technology.

For example, the medicine chest clause states that a chest of medicines be made available for the use and benefit of the Indigenous people.........

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