Ocean Man's chief said she hoped a monumental agreement signed Monday with the federal government expedites the First Nation's settlement claim.

The minister responsible for Crown-Indigenous relations says he feels the same way.

Minister Marc Miller appeared virtually Wednesday, along with other federal representatives, as the government signed an agreement with Ocean Man First Nation recognizing it as a Treat 4 First Nation despite what both sides called government wrongdoings.

Background:

Ocean Man adhered to Treaty 4 in 1875. 

A reserve was surveyed and set aside near present-day Stoughton. 

The people of Ocean Man occupied the land until 1901, when they were wrongfully amalgamated with White Bear and Pheasant Rump First Nations by the federal government.

Canada stopped recognizing Ocean Man and Pheasant Rump as First Nations separate from White Bear. People from Ocean Man and Pheasant Rump were then moved to live on White Bear.

Ocean Man gained recognition by Canada as a First Nation in 1989, though there was disagreement over whether they were the same band that adhered to Treaty 4 in 1875.

The claim:

Ocean Man filed a settlement claim in 2008:

"The Ocean Man First Nation alleges that the 1901 amalgamation and surrender were null and void; that the FN suffered losses and damages as a result of these transactions and the subsequent sale of these lands; and the FN claims there was insufficient  funding when the Ocean Man First Nation was reestablished to their reserve after the ratification of the 1986 settlement agreement with White Bear and their descendants."

Comments from Ocean Man and the federal government:

Miller said Wednesday's ceremony was a positive, though it should never have been needed.

"This was something that was quite profound and meaningful for Ocean Man's community and Chief [Connie] Big Eagle who has fought so long for this. I'm glad to be part of it and glad to recognize that Ocean Man is indeed the true successor and signatory and has not been amalgamated or extinguished since 1875."

Big Eagle said she hopes it speeds up their claim. You can read more from Big Eagle in our original story here.

Miller wouldn't comment on how the claim is proceeding, but shared Big Eagle's sentiment.

"I do want to accelerate and move forward as quickly as we can on these matters because it does deal with inevitably rights and fixing the things that perhaps should never have happen, but also about economic development of communities that are in need."

Miller signed a similar agreement to Wednesday's with Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation as well.