The Peguis Surrender Claim Trust has released its 2025 Annual Report for community members in Peguis, Manitoba. The report is now available for download from the Peguis Surrender Claim Trust website and details the trust’s financial activities over the past year.
The trust currently manages $155 million in assets and has approved over $34 million in community projects since its creation. These funds come from a $126 million settlement for the illegal surrender of St. Peter’s Reserve in 1907. After legal fees, $118.75 million was deposited into the trust, with $10.5 million set aside for per-capita payments to beneficiaries.
The settlement has deep roots in Peguis history. In 1907, the original reserve land was surrendered under flawed conditions, including only one day’s notice and no translation into Cree or Saulteaux. Canada officially recognized the surrender as void on June 29, 1998. Peguis members voted to accept the settlement on June 13, 2009, and the agreement was ratified on October 4, 2010.
The trust is overseen by Financial Trustees and Community Fund Trustees who manage investments and approve projects. The 2025 report comes during a difficult year for Peguis, which declared a state of emergency in April 2026 due to flooding on the Fisher River. The community received over 500,000 sandbags from the province to protect homes and infrastructure.
Residents are encouraged to review the report to understand how funds are being used for community benefits such as housing, education, cultural programs, and business development. The trust’s goal is to safeguard these funds for future generations of Peguis members.
