Ocean Man First Nation and the federal government signed an agreement Wednesday recognizing it as a Treaty 4 First Nation.

A release from Ocean Man specified that they adhered to Treaty 4 in 1875. A reserve was then 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.

Big Eagle and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller signed the agreement at a private ceremony in Regina.

Leadership and elders were in attendance with Miller attending virtually along with other federal representatives.

An exchange of gifts and ceremonial songs by a traditional Ocean Man hand drummer followed the signature.

"The significance is that Canada finally recognized what Ocean Man has always maintained, that we were always a Treaty First Nation, signatory to Treaty 4," said Big Eagle. "We never seized to exist, even when we were amalgamated with White Bear back in 1901, all through almost a century that we lived there."

Big Eagle would not comment on any financial impacts from the agreement.

"We look forward to continuing to work together as treaty partners to advance reconciliation and build a better future based on community priorities," said Miller in the release. "Congratulations to Chief Big Eagle, Elders, and community members on this historic day"

Big Eagle said it was significant having her Elders at the ceremony.

"They have been waiting, they moved from White Bear back to Ocean Man and it was important for them to be here to witness the signing to show that progress is being made, that steps are being taken, and when we leave to go meet at the three reserves negotiating table with Canada, we're not just going away for nothing; that something came of it."

Ocean Man is pursuing a settlement claim, and is involved in joint claims. Big Eagle said she couldn't speak to the joint claims, but said she hopes Wednesday's signing speeds up the process for their own claim.

Big Eagle said they recorded the ceremony for posterity, and the community will take part in a video launch.

"I think that they'll appreciate the significance of it, and they'll recognize that something finally came of our negotiations. It's going to give everyone a renewed hope that things are going to move forward and get done with our claim."