Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A) General Information About the Distribution
1. Why is there a distribution to Odanak members?
As announced at the Members’ Assembly held on November 29, 2025, the Abenaki Council of Odanak decided that 40% (including the equivalent of accrued interest) of the compensation obtained for the settlement of the Mission St-François and the 38 lots specific claims will be distributed to Eligible Members.
2. How is the distribution to Eligible Members carried out?
The distribution is carried out through two components: the Non-Trust Distribution and the distribution through a trust. The Non-Trust Distribution is administered by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the accounting firm appointed by the Abenaki Council of Odanak to ensure a secure, efficient and timely process. It enables adult Eligible Members to receive their distribution amount more quickly.
3. Who are the “Eligible Members” for the distribution (non-trust and distribution through a trust)?
The following are eligible for a distribution:
a. individuals, whether adults (18 years of age and older) or minors, who were members of Odanak and living as of March 13, 2026, or whose application for membership was submitted to the First Nation no later than March 13, 2026, and was subsequently accepted, and who have not voluntarily relinquished their membership status at the time they claim their share of the distribution; and
b. the estates of adult and minor members who were living as of June 30, 2023, but who passed away before March 13, 2026, or after March 13, 2026, if the deceased member never made a claim for the distribution.
4. Which Eligible Members may receive a Non-Trust Distribution?
Only Eligible Members of the Abenaki of Odanak First Nation who were adults (18 years and older) as of March 13, 2026, may receive a Non-Trust Distribution. To receive their payment, they must submit the claim form no later than October 31, 2026, with the required documentation indicated in the form.
If you are uncertain about your eligibility or the distribution amount to which you are entitled (e.g., if you owed debts to Council), please contact the Abenaki Council of Odanak or the Non-Trust Distribution Administrator using the contact information provided in the “Contact Us” section of this FAQ.
5. When will estates and minors be able to receive their distribution?
Estates and Eligible Members who were minors as of March 13, 2026, will be able to apply to the trust once it has been established. A five-year claim period is provided, beginning on the date the trust is created or, if a member is a minor when the trust is created, as of the date the member reaches the age of majority, as applicable. This distribution trust has not yet been created; it is expected to be created by the end of 2026. The Abenaki Council of Odanak will keep you informed of any significant developments in this regard.
6. What is PwC’s role in the process?
PwC acts as the Non-Trust Distribution Administrator. In this capacity, PwC receives and verifies claims, communicates with members, processes payments on behalf of the First Nation, reports to Council, and closes the file at the end of its mandate.
7. What amount will each Eligible Member receive?
Each Eligible Member will receive CAD $19,843, less any applicable banking fees and, where applicable (see point 27 below), the repayment of certain debts owed to Council (see point 10 below).
8. How will payments be made (in whose name)?
All distributions are made in the name of the First Nation: cheques issued will bear the name of the First Nation, and direct deposits will indicate that they originate from the First Nation. All payments are made in Canadian dollars (CAD).
B) Eligibility and Conditions
9. What if I am a minor, an heir of a deceased member, or I miss the claim period?
The following people will be required to apply to the distribution trust:
• The estates of deceased members who were living as of June 30, 2023 and who never made a claim for the distribution
• Members who were minors as of March 13, 2026 (when they reach 18 years of age)
• Eligible Members who did not receive an amount through the Non-Trust Distribution
A five-year claim period is provided from the creation of the distribution trust or, if the member is a minor when the trust is created, from the member reaching the age of majority. The distribution trust has not yet been created; it is expected to be created by the end of 2026. Council will keep you informed of significant developments in this regard.
10. What happens if I owe a debt to Council?
If you owe a debt to Council and you received a letter asking you to settle your situation before June 20, 2026, the amount of your debt will be deducted from your distribution (unless you have paid your debt). For any questions in this regard, please contact Suzie O’Bomsawin, Assistant General Manager (450-568-2810).
11. Will the distribution have an impact on my government benefits?
It is possible that the distribution may be considered by the various government jurisdictions in calculating certain benefits. Certain verifications will be carried out with respect to provincial social assistance and members will be kept informed of the responses obtained.
12. Will I have to pay tax on the distribution amount?
According to the Canada Revenue Agency, as a general rule in Canada, a capital distribution arising from the settlement of a specific claim is not taxable income, both for members who hold Indian status and for those who do not. Members residing outside Canada are advised to consult a tax professional in their country of residence. This information does not constitute tax advice.
13. Will I receive a document confirming the nature of the distribution?
Yes. After their distribution has been paid, members will receive a letter explaining the nature of the distribution. The letter will be sent according to the method of communication selected in their form. It may serve as proof for a government authority or an insurance company, if needed.
C) Claim Process
14. When will I receive the claim form?
The administrator sent the notice and claim form by mail at the end of July 2026, and by email beginning on July 31, 2026, for members who have provided an email address. The administrator will use the contact information provided by the First Nation or by members (after verifying their identity) to communicate directly with members.
15. How can I update my contact information?
To make sure your contact information is up to date (address, email, phone number), you can contact the Non-Trust Distribution Administrator directly using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section of this FAQ. After verifying your identity, the administrator will update your information for the purpose of the non-trust distribution only.
For any changes to your contact information as it appears on Odanak’s membership list, please communicate with Odanak’s Registrar Nathalie Cardin at 450-568-2810.
16. What is the period for submitting a claim?
The claim period runs from August 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, inclusively. The form and required documentation must be received no later than October 31, 2026, in order to be processed. The postmark will not be accepted as proof of the date of receipt. It is the sender’s responsibility to ensure that the documents reach their destination within the prescribed time limit.
17. How can I submit my form?
You may submit your claim form using one of the following two methods: (1) online, through the portal available at https://survey.pwc.com/jfe/form/SV_d54yrqsY0RWGxee (recommended method); or (2) by mail, to the following address: Non-Trust Distribution Administrator for Odanak, 2640, boulevard Laurier, suite 1700, Quebec (QC), Canada, G1V 5C2.
18. Will I receive an acknowledgement of receipt after submitting my claim?
If you submit your claim online, an acknowledgement of receipt will be sent to you automatically to confirm that it has been received. No acknowledgement of receipt will be sent by mail.
19. What identification documents must I provide?
You must attach legible copies of two valid (not expired) pieces of government-issued identification showing your date of birth. Accepted documents include, among others: driver’s licence, passport, health insurance card (e.g., RAMQ, OHIP), Indian status card, national identity card (outside of Canada), birth certificate or any other equivalent document deemed satisfactory by the administrator.
20. What personal information must I provide in the form?
You must provide the following personal information: full legal name, date of birth, Indian status number (if applicable), mailing address, email, telephone number, two valid (not expired) pieces of government-issued identification showing your date of birth and banking information (if you wish to receive your payment by direct deposit (EFT) or wire transfer).
21. Do I have to sign the form?
Yes, you must sign and date the form. If the form is completed electronically, the member may type their name as a valid signature. You must also check off each of the statements in Part 6 (Declarations and Undertakings).
22. What do I confirm by signing the release (Part 5)?
By signing the release, you confirm, among other things, that you were a member of Odanak aged 18 or older as of March 13, 2026, and that you are still a member of Odanak; that you authorize and direct PwC to make the payment according to the selected method; that you understand that banking fees may be applied and deducted; and that, by receiving the payment, you grant the First Nation, Council and PwC a complete, final and irrevocable release with respect to this payment.
23. What happens if my claim is incomplete?
The administrator will contact you, according to the preferred method of communication you indicated in your form, in order to obtain the missing information before the end of the claim period. If your claim remains incomplete as of that date, it will be rejected and a letter will be sent to you. You will then be able to obtain your distribution by applying to the distribution trust (once it has been created).
24. What should I make sure of before sending my form?
Before sending your form, please make sure that:
• All required fields are completed;
• Legible copies of two valid (not expired) pieces of government-issued identification showing your date of birth are attached;
• The payment method is selected;
• The required banking documents are attached, if you selected “Direct deposit” (void cheque or direct deposit form) or “Wire transfer”;
• The form is signed;
• Each of the statements in Part 6 (Declarations and Undertakings) is checked off.
D) Payment, Timeline, and Banking Fees
25. What payment methods are available?
You must choose only one of the following three payment methods:
(1) Cheque — sent to the mailing address provided in the form;
(2) Direct deposit (EFT) — within Canada only; or
(3) Wire transfer — recommended for bank accounts located outside Canada.
26. What banking documents must I attach?
For direct deposit (EFT), you must attach a voided cheque or a direct deposit form from your financial institution for a Canadian bank account in your name. For wire transfer, you must attach a document from your financial institution showing the bank account number or IBAN, as well as the SWIFT number. If there is any discrepancy between the banking information entered in the form and the information provided by your financial institution, the latter will prevail.
27. Are there banking fees?
Banking fees may be applied and deducted depending on the selected payment method. Estimated fees are about $1 CDN for direct deposit, $5 for payment by cheque and $20 for a wire transfer.
If your financial institution is located outside Canada, currency conversion fees may apply in addition to banking fees.
28. What happens if I choose payment by cheque and I am located outside Canada?
A payment made by cheque and sent outside Canada may be subject to clearing delays or additional banking fees imposed by your financial institution. If you reside outside Canada, we recommend you check with your bank before choosing this payment method.
29. When can I expect to receive my payment?
Once the administrator receives the complete claim, payment will be issued within thirty to sixty days. This timeframe does not include any bank processing time specific to your financial institution.
E) Tracking Your Claim
30. How will I know if my claim has been approved?
After your payment, the administrator will send you a letter from the Abenaki Council of Odanak confirming that your claim has been approved and specifying the nature of the payment. You may also contact the administrator at any time to check on the status of your file.
31. What happens if my claim is rejected?
If your claim is rejected, whether because you are not eligible or because it remained incomplete at the end of the claim period, the administrator will send you a letter of refusal according to your preferred method of communication.
32. I have already submitted my form but I want to make changes to it; may I submit a second form?
In this case, you should complete the form “Change of Information” available on the website in the section “Form.” This form can be completed online or sent to the administrator by mail. Requests to change information will be considered up until the moment the administrator begins to process your claim. Requests received after this period will not be accepted.
For further details, you may also contact the administrator at the contact information provided in the “Contact Us” section of this FAQ. If you submit two forms, this will extend the processing time for your claim.
33. In what languages are services offered?
Services are offered in French and English. The administrator may communicate with members and answer their questions in both languages.
F) Contact Us
34. Who should I contact for questions about the form or the claim process?
To obtain free assistance in completing the form or explanations about the process, contact the Non-Trust Distribution Administrator by email at ca_distributions_odanak@pwc.com. A toll-free voicemail box will be made available for members in Canada and internationally (toll-free number 1-844-409-3969 or 514-205-3969). A PwC agent will respond to you within a maximum of 72 business hours.