Ref. #2-3497
OTTAWA, ONTARIO (June 10, 2011) – The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, congratulates Yellow Quill First Nation for celebrating an historic milestone in its Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) settlement agreement.
Yellow Quill acquired and transferred to reserve its shortfall acreage, an achievement that increased the First Nation's land base by more than 16,700 acres and now opens up a wealth of new economic opportunities.
“Treaty Land Entitlement provides First Nations with the chance to not only expand their land base, but also to pursue economic development and employment opportunities,” said Minister Duncan. “Today marks the beginning of many successes and continued improvements in the quality of life for all members of the Yellow Quill First Nation.”
Outstanding Treaty land obligations came about because many families were not included in Band population estimates at the time of first survey when each treaty was initially signed, which in Yellow Quill's case was 1881. Under the 1992 Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, the Yellow Quill First Nation received $29.5 million to purchase and convert to reserve a minimum of 11,801.6 acres. Now the First Nation is entitled to purchase available land up to its maximum entitlement of 117,274 acres or invest in other economic development opportunities.
“We will be making strategic investments that will benefit all of our members,” said Chief Larry Cachene of Yellow Quill First Nation. “Reaching this milestone opens the door to significant opportunities that promote long-term economic development and create jobs for our members.”
While the Treaty relationship exists exclusively between the federal government and First Nations, Saskatchewan has a legal obligation through the 1930 Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (NRTA). Under the NRTA, Canada transferred to Saskatchewan all Crown lands, minerals and other natural resources within the province, subject to a number of conditions. One such condition was that Saskatchewan would provide unoccupied Crown lands should Canada ever require land to fulfil its Treaty obligations.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to respecting the Treaties and we congratulate Yellow Quill First Nation in reaching this historic milestone,” said Ken Cheveldayoff, Saskatchewan's Minister of First Nations and Métis Relations. “It represents an opportunity to promote economic and social development for the Yellow Quill First Nation.”
The Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement was signed by Saskatchewan, Canada, and 25 First Nations in September 1992. Eight additional settlements have since been signed with individual First Nations. These 33 First Nations received in total approximately $595 million to buy up to 2.25 million acres of land to convert to reserve. To date, 791,675 acres have been transferred to reserve across the Province of Saskatchewan as a result of the TLE Framework Agreement.
Minister's Office
Michele-Jamali Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
819-997-0002
Media Relations
819-953-1160
Province of Saskatchewan
Cathe Offet
(306) 787-5701
Yellow Quill First Nation
Chief Larry Cachene
(306) 322-2281
