Treaty annuity payments

On this page

• What are treaty annuity payments
• Honouring treaty commitments
• Who is eligible for treaty annuity payments
• On-reserve treaty payment events
• Urban treaty payment events
• Treaty payments by mail or direct deposit
• Contact us
• Other resources

What are treaty annuity payments

Most treaty payments are made in cash during treaty payment events in First Nations communities and urban centres, on or off reserves. They are coordinated by Treaty First Nations and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) regional offices.

The fulfillment of treaty provisions is a legal obligation of the Government of Canada.

Honouring treaty commitments

ISC is responsible for honouring the Crown's annual and on-going treaty promises, which include most treaty annuities. The Government of Canada honours and respects these historical obligations, which are symbolic of the special relationship between Treaty First Nations and the Crown.

Depending on the terms of the specific treaty, obligations may include:

• payment of individual treaty annuities
• provision of ammunition and twine for nets
• provision of a suit of clothing every 3 years for Chiefs and Councillors

Individual annuities that aren't collected during a particular year will continue to accrue until collected.

Who is eligible for treaty annuity payments

Registered persons under the Indian Act who are also affiliated with a First Nation that has signed a specific historic treaty with the Crown are eligible for treaty annuity payments. More information is available at: List of First Nations entitled to treaty annuities.

On-reserve treaty payment events

Many First Nations across the country host on-reserve treaty payment events annually for their members. To learn more about on-reserve events, contact your First Nation office.

Urban treaty payment events

Urban treaty payment events allow eligible persons who live in urban areas or are unable to pick up their annuities in their home communities to collect them in person.

When attending urban treaty payment events, recipients should bring:

• A form of valid government-issued photo identification, such as a status card, provincial driver's license or identification card. If you do not have photo identification, you may be given a mail-in request form to receive your treaty payment
• Identification should include your full name, date of birth and a photo
• You may also be asked additional questions to validate your identity

Children accompanied by an adult may use identification that does not include a photo.

Treaty payments by mail or direct deposit

If you're eligible for treaty annuity payments but can't attend a treaty payment event, you can download and fill out a Treaty Annuity Payment Request form and email it to us at treatypay-paiementdetraite@sac-isc.gc.ca to request payment by direct deposit or cheque.

Make sure to include a copy of one of the following forms of identification:

• Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS)
• Certificate of Indian Status (CIS)
• other valid government-issued photo identification

If you are submitting by email, include the completed form and a copy of your identification in the same email.

Individuals who are 18 or older must complete their own payment request form. To request payment on behalf of dependents that are 18 or older, please include proof of guardianship with the form.

Contact us

To find out more about the rights and benefits to which you may be entitled, contact our regional office in your area.

In the Northwest Territories Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is the department that disburses annuity payments for First Nations located in the Northwest Territories that are signatories to Treaty No. 8 and Treaty No. 11.

Other resources

• Trust moneys
• Transcripts of treaty texts
• List of First Nations entitled to treaty annuities