What we're saying by this action, is that by getting us to sign the treaty of 1854, the Crown did not live up to the standards of high behaviour it set for itself in previous legislation. We're not saying the treaty is invalid, but we are saying the situation the Treaty left us in deserves remedy. It does mean, however, that if we are successful at trial, we will be asking the court to compensate us for losses resulting from the bad faith of the Crown. At least as much as is legally possible. Obviously we can't turn back the clock.
Native communities are extremely closely knit communities.
In a very real way, we are hoping that a successful conclusion to this action we have taken will allow us to come to terms with the past and get on with the future. It looks like a lot, says Chief Akiwenzie, but this is the value independent assessors have put on what we have lost as a result of the Crown's breach of its duty. People should remember that Canadian courts are very stingy about this sort of thing. And the onus is on us to prove the Crown's breach and the losses we have suffered as a result. We won't be getting anything we're not entitled to.