Siksika Nation announced last week they will begin to move forward with applications for claims under the First Nations Drinking Water Settlement. The settlement is eligible for Siksika Nation members who were subjected to long-term drinking water advisories from 1995-2021. 

Siksika Nation's Council Liaison Ola Koleoso explained they are just beginning the process of preparing applications and claims, and to help Nation members understand the forms, Elder Lucille Wright will be knocking on doors to help clarify the details.

As for the claims itself, this is part of an $8 billion settlement that was approved on Dec. 22, 2021 between First Nations and the Government of Canada. From this $8 billion, $1.8 billion will go towards compensation to impacted individuals, and $6 billion will go towards supporting construction, upgrading, operation, and maintenance of water infrastructure on First Nations land.

Since Siksika Nation just started filing applications and claims forms, Koleoso explained it's too early to have specific details, but he hopes all impacted members prepare the proper documents for when the time comes to receive settlements. As for if Siksika could see infrastructure upgrades as a part of the $8 billion settlement, Koleoso again said it's too early to know, but any upgrades would be a welcome sight.

"Obviously it would be a good idea if that happens, but we're going through the process. As we get closer to the time we'll get more information, and as we move forward, we're going to get more and more clarification," he said.

As Siksika moves forward with this, Koleoso said he hopes the Nation is able to reach out to all its members and asks that members are patient as they work to help people understand the claims and the forms associated with it.

To learn more about the First Nations Drinking Water Settlement, you can visit their website here.

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