Agricultural Benefits Claim

Per Capita Distribution (PCD) Payment

• George Gordon First Nation (GGFN), through the Sōniyāskaw Trust, is issuing a one-time Adult Per Capita Distribution (PCD) payment as part of the Nation’s Treaty 4 Agricultural Benefits and Ammunition and Twine Claims, being the Nation’s specific claims relating to the Crown’s non-fulfillment of the agricultural benefits and agricultural instruction provisions of Treaty 4 and the nominal ammunition and twine benefit obligations under Treaty 4, and certain other actions and omissions of the Crown.
• As per Article 6.2 of the Sōniyāskaw Trust Agreement, each eligible member will receive a single payment of $50,000.
• GGFN Staff will review applications for eligibility, ensure all required documents are complete, and submit them to the trustee, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), for processing. RBC will then verify compliance with the Sōniyāskaw Trust Agreement, process payments, and disburse funds to eligible members.

TO BE ELIGIBLE:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and listed as a living member on the George Gordon Nation Membership List as ofApril 4, 2025 (Ratification Date).
• Members who are under 18 on the Ratification Date will receive their payment upon turning 18, with an adjustment for inflation.
• Children who were born between January 1, 2024, and the Ratification Date (April 4, 2025), must submit the paperwork to be added to the Membership List on or before December 31, 2025, to be eligible for a PCD. They will be paid the PCD plus inflation or such other adjustment determined by the Trustee in accordance with the Trust Agreement when they turn 18.

TO APPLY:

Submit the following documents to [email protected]

Important: Use the following subject line format when sending your email:

Subject: [First and Last Name]_[Year of Birth]
(Example: John Doe_1985)

FOR BAND MEMBERS:

1. A completed Sōniyāskaw Trust Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity form which can be downloaded here: Payment Instruction, Discharge, Release and Indemnity PCD Form_George Gordon First Nation
2. Void Cheque or a Direct Deposit Form that can be attained from your Financial Institution. Note – Name on void cheque or direct deposit form must match name on your government issued ID.
3. Two pieces of Valid government ID (cannot be expired).

FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES:

1. A completed Sōniyāskaw Trust Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity Form for Representative which can be downloaded here: Authorized Representative_ Payment Instruction, Discharge, Release and Indemnity PCD Form_George Gordon First Nation
2. Void Cheque or a Direct Deposit Form that can be attained from your Financial Institution. Note – Name on void cheque or direct deposit form must match name on your government issued ID.
3. Two pieces of Valid government ID (cannot be expired).

Note: Incomplete applications may cause delays. Please review all documents carefully before submission.

Adult Per Capita Distribution (PCD) Information

As per Section 6.2 of the Sōniyāskaw Trust Agreement, each member will receive a single payment in the amount of:

• $50,000 for each individual Adult;
• who is alive as of the Ratification Date, April 4, 2025;
• who is at least 18 years of age as of the Ratification Date; and
• whose name appears on the Membership List as of the Ratification Date.

Payment Instructions, Discharge, Release and Idemnity Form

A list of all adults entitled to be paid a Settlement PCD from the Sōniyāskaw Trust Property pursuant to the Section 6.2 including their name and birthdate, and such other information as may be required by the Trustee to administer the Settlement PCD’s as follows:

1. A completed form of The Sōniyāskaw Trust Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity form (which can be attained at the band office, via email or on the Nation’s website)
2. A Void Cheque or a Direct Deposit Form that can be attained from your Financial Institution (Name on void cheque or direct deposit form must match name on your government issued ID)
3. 2 pieces of Valid government ID (ID cannot be expired)

Checklist:

• Check for member name on the Approved List of Members, ensure the name matches the Government ID provided.
• Completed The Sōniyāskaw Trust Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity form

Section #1: Ensure they are a member or eligible member at time of ratification before proceeding.
Section #3: Ensure date of birth is filled and matches ID and Member list.
Section #4: Ensure Status Number matches Member list and/or status card if provided as piece of ID.

Section #5: This field should be filled by the member regardless of current status (i.e. apprenticeship, continuing education, retired, self-employed, unemployed, etc.)
Section #8: Address’ should match IDs and should include full address including postal code. If member is in a rural area or lives on reserve, they should include the house number and or legal land description. P.O. Boxes will not be accepted. If under special circumstances member is with no physical address the band administration office can be used.

Section #9: for mailing address only. PO Boxes are allowed here.
Section #14: only EFT is available for all members for method of payment. The Direct Deposit Form/Void Cheque banking information match the Sōniyāskaw Trust Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity form and IDs.

Section #24: Ensure Members and Witness sign and print name in the proper spaces provided and the Witness fill in full legal address (follow Section #8 rules).

Once the above information has been verified by the GGFN Trust coordinators a single pdf. file including the Sōniyāskaw Trust Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity form, Void Cheque or a Direct Deposit Form and 2 pieces of Valid government ID will be uploaded to a secure storage site.

Authorized Representative Payment Instructions, Discharge, Release and Idemnity Form

For Deceased Members or Member with Lack of Capacity

Estate of Deceased Qualified Member

If a member entitled to payment of a settlement PCD under Section 6.2 passes away after ratification (April 4, 2025) but before receiving payment, the trustee shall disburse the settlement PCD to the legally appointed representative of the member’s estate. This payment shall occur as soon as reasonably practicable following the member’s death, contingent upon the First Nation providing notice to the trustee.

Incapable Qualified Members:

If a court has appointed a property guardian for a member, the minister of Indigenous Services has designated an individual to manage a member’s estate as per Section 51 of the Indian Act or a member has designated an attorney, the trustee shall disburse the settlement payment to the member through the appointed property guardian, estate administrator, or attorney, as appropriate.

As per Section 6.2 of the Sōniyāskaw Trust Agreement, each member will receive a single payment in the amount of:

• $50,000 for each individual Adult;
• who was alive as of the Ratification Date, April 4, 2025;
• who was at least 18 years of age as of the Ratification Date; and
• whose name appears on the Membership List as of the Ratification Date.

A list of all deceased adults entitled to be paid a Settlement PCD from the Sōniyāskaw Trust Property pursuant to Section 6.2, including their name and birthdate, and such other information as may be required by the Trustee to administer the Settlement PCD’s as follows:

1. A completed form of The Sōniyāskaw Trust Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity form for Representative
2. A Void Cheque or a Direct Deposit Form that can be attained from your Financial Institution (Name on void cheque or direct deposit form must match name on your government issued ID)
3. For deceased member confirmation under the Indian Act appointing representative as executor or administrator of the Qualified Member’s estate; OR a provincial grant of probate from the province/State in which the Qualified Member resided; OR
4. For Incapable Qualified Member confirmation an enduring power of attorney for property (or equivalent document from the province in which the Qualified Member resides); an Order made under Section 51 of the Indian Act appointing me as administrator of the property of the Qualified Member; OR a Court order from the province in which the Qualified Member resides appointing me to manage the property of the Qualified Member.

Checklist:

• Check for member name on the Approved List of Members, ensure the name matches the Government ID provided.
• Completed The Sōniyāskaw Trust Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity form

Section #1: Ensure they are a member or eligible member at time of ratification before proceeding.

Section #3: Ensure if the Representative is applying for Estate of Deceased Qualified Member or Management of Property of an Incapable Qualified Member

Section #5: Ensure Status Number matches Member list and/or status card if provided as piece of ID.
Section #6: Address’ should match IDs and should include full address including postal code. If member is in a rural area or lives on reserve, they should include the house number and or legal land description. P.O. Boxes will not be accepted. If under special circumstances member is with no physical address the band administration office can be used.

Section #7 to #11: To be completed with Representatives information.
Section #15: only EFT is available for all members for method of payment. The Direct Deposit Form/Void Cheque banking information match the Sōniyāskaw Trust Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity form and IDs.

Section #25: Ensure Representative and Witness sign and print name in the proper spaces provided and the Witness fill in full legal address (follow Section #8 rules).

Once the above information has been verified by the GGFN Trust coordinators a single pdf. file including the Sōniyāskaw Trust Authorized Representatives Payment Instruction, Discharge Release and Indemnity form, Void Cheque or a Direct Deposit Form and 2 pieces of Valid government ID will be uploaded to a secure storage site.

If you have any specific questions about the Sōniyāskaw Trust, please send an email to: [email protected]