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WIIKWEMKOONG—There are few greater controversies in Anishinaabe territories than  the disbursements of payments from the Robinson Huron Treaty annuities court case that saw a $10 billion settlement from the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario shared among the 21 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½s communities that were part of the treaty. The payment helped settle the legal obligation to increase annual treaty payments of $4 per person, which had not changed since 1875 just a few years after it was signed. The settlement was intended to compensate for wealth generated from mining, forestry and fishing in the territory. 

Distribution of those funds to individual members in the 21 91³ÉÈ˵¼º½s communities was left up to each individual band, with some distributing all of the monies, while others, like Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory chose to retain a portion of the money for future band use and investment. In Wiikwemkoong’s case, the band council decided to distribute 60 percent of the $1.312 billion received by Wiikwemkoong to band members, with 40 percent being retained for future use and investment.

This did not sit well with many band members, including a feisty group of elders spearheaded by Josh Eshkawkogan. Mr. Eshkawkogan has made an application to the Federal Court on behalf of himself and the band membership seeking to have a number of the band council’s decisions set aside based on the group’s allegations the council is required to consult the community before making major decisions.