Saskatchewan has approved the transfer of Crown mineral rights to Onion Lake Cree Nation, bringing the nation one step closer to receiving all the land it was owed under Treaty.
The province approved the transfer of approximately 64.34 hectares – 159 acres – of Crown mineral rights to the Cree Nation in the latest round of transfers under the Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement.
The approval brings the total Crown mineral rights transferred to Onion Lake Cree Nation under the framework to approximately 36,961 hectares – more than 91,334 acres.
Onion Lake Cree Nation straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan border northwest of Lloydminster, making the transfer directly relevant to the region BorderPulse covers.
“The transfer of Crown land and Crown mineral rights to entitlement recipient First Nations is an important Treaty responsibility,” said Eric Schmalz, Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs. “This process allows Saskatchewan and Canada to uphold our Treaty commitments while fostering a new generation of prosperity and long-term economic growth for First Nation people.”
Two other First Nations also received mineral rights approvals in the same round.
Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation received approval for approximately 64.34 hectares – 159 acres – of Crown mineral rights. Total transfers to Carry the Kettle under its TLE settlement agreement now stand at approximately 13,374 hectares – more than 33,049 acres.
Pasqua First Nation received approval for approximately 185.35 hectares – 458 acres – of Crown mineral rights. Total transfers to Pasqua under its TLE agreement now reach approximately 1,776 hectares, or roughly 4,389 acres.
The Treaty Land Entitlement process addresses a long-standing wrong. For generations, First Nations across the province did not receive all the reserve land they were promised under Treaty. The TLE framework, involving Saskatchewan, Canada and entitlement First Nations, is the mechanism for making that right.
Saskatchewan leads the country in TLE land transfers, with more than 899,210 acres transferred to date.
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