Trappers receive compensation from SaskPower
- EFN Staff | February 11, 2015
Lac La Ronge Indian Band has completed a two-year negotiation process for trappers’ compensation with SaskPower, resulting in $75,000 compensation.
The band successfully argued that the construction of the Transmission Line known as the I1K and I2P has affected traditional activity.
Lac La Ronge Indian Band received notification of this project in 2012 and held community meetings in conjunction with SaskPower. The community meetings resulted in identifying the impacted trappers.
“Some trappers had to move from their family cabins and their traditional areas, the place where they carry out their way of life,” explains Chief Tammy Cook-Searson. “We worked formally with SaskPower to negotiate compensation. The amount we initially submitted on behalf of our impacted trappers was rejected, based on SaskPower’s assessment.”
In total, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band received $75,000, through SaskPower’s newly established Trapper’s Compensation Program.
“We distributed this amount on behalf of SaskPower between the impacted trappers and their families. Although it wasn’t the amount we initially asked for, we are still pleased the trappers received compensation,” says Chief Cook-Searson.