Treaty annuity payments
Every year, the Government of Canada makes treaty annuity payments to persons who are registered under the Indian Act and are registered to a First Nation that signed a specific historic treaty with the Crown.
Possible Canada Post Mail Delays
Due to the ongoing Canada Post labour disruption, mail delivery may experience delays. Treaty annuity payment requests that are already processed will still be issued but expect possible delays.
To avoid delays, we encourage applicants to consider using the direct deposit option on the treaty payment request form. You can send the completed treaty payment request form by email to treatypay-paiementdetraite@sac-isc.gc.ca. Individuals can also choose to attend an in-person treaty payment event, where available. Consult the Urban Treaty Payment Events section for the most up-to-date event information.
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What are treaty 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 fulfillment of the commitments is symbolic of the special relationship between First Nations and the Crown. The Government of Canada honours and respects those historical obligations and is committed to upholding the important place they hold for Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
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.
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 photo identification. If you do not have photo identification, you may be given a mail-in request form.
- Your identification should include at least your: full name, date of birth and a photo.
- You may also be asked additional questions to validate your identity.
Photo identification that does not include a photo may be used for minors accompanied by an adult.
Additional government services on-site
ISC is increasing access to government services at events for Indigenous peoples. People attending an urban event could see one or more of the following services present:
- registration and status card services
- post-secondary and employment recruitment
- estate services
- treaty monies
- Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
Urban treaty payment events in 2025
In 2025, urban treaty payment events will take place starting in June in the following cities:
Manitoba
- June 2 to 6, Winnipeg, RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Avenue, 11:00am to 7:00pm
To find out more on urban treaty payment events taking place in Manitoba, contact mb.treatypayments@sac-isc.gc.ca.
Ontario
- July 18, Moosonee, Location to be determined (tbd)
- August 27, Toronto, Location tbd, 11am to 5pm
- September 9, Sudbury, Location tbd, 11am to 4pm
- September 10, Thunder Bay, Location tbd 11am to 5 pm
To find out more on urban treaty payment events taking place in Ontario, contact on.treatypayments@sac-isc.gc.ca.
We are committed to ensuring access for all eligible individuals. If you are unable to attend an in-person event, you can still receive your treaty annuity payment:
- By direct deposit
- By cheque through the mail
Visit the Treaty payments by mail or direct deposit section for instructions and forms.
Who is eligible
You're eligible for treaty annuity payments if you are registered under the Indian Act and registered to a First Nation that has signed one of these treaties:
- The Robinson-Huron and Robinson-Superior Treaties (1850)
- Treaty No. 1, Treaty No. 2, Treaty No. 3, Treaty No. 4, Treaty No. 5, Treaty No. 6, Treaty No. 7, Treaty No. 8, Treaty No. 9, Treaty No. 10, and Treaty No. 11, together known as the numbered treaties
- Upper and Lower Cayuga payments
The Upper and Lower Cayuga payments aren't treaty annuity payments. They're payments based on approval by the Government of Canada in 1928 to respect the 1926 American and British Claims Arbitration Tribunal decision. The payments are $5 and occur every 2 years on odd years, for example, 2023, 2025, 2027 and so on.
Treaty payments by mail or direct deposit
If you're eligible for treaty annuity payments but can't go to 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 your Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) or other government-issued photo identification with the form. If you are submitting it by email, please include a copy of identity documents to the same email as the form.
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.
Please note this form is only to be used for an application for treaty annuity payments. This form is not used to request monies from settlements, such as the Robinson Huron settlement. Settlement monies are distributed according to the specific terms of each settlement. You may contact your Chief and Council for more information on settlement monies.
Form instructions
The fillable/saveable Treaty Annuity Payment Request form is available online.
You may choose to:
- print the form before filling it out and send it in by mail
- fill out the form on a computer and send it in by email
Contact us
For dates and times of your First Nation's treaty payment event, contact your First Nations office.
To find out more about the rights and benefits to which you may be entitled, contact our regional office in your area.
Our regional office in the Northwest Territories disburses annuity payments for First Nations located in the Northwest Territories that are signatories to Treaty No. 8 and Treaty No. 11.