Saskatchewan band signs land settlement

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OTTAWA - The signing of the final agreement reached in the settlement of the Fond du Lac Band's outstanding treaty land entitlement has been announced by Indian Affairs minister David Crombie.

The band voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting some 30,000 acres of Crown land that were made available by the Province of Saskatchewan as fulfillment of the band's treaty right to the land.

The land, consisting of three parcels of land, includes about 20,000 acres adjoining an existing reserve at the southeast end of Lake Athabasca, 5,000 acres along the Otherside River, and 5,000 acres along the McFarlane River. All parcels are in the vicinity of Fond Du Lac, located approximately 90 kilometres south of the Northwest Territories border.

In signing the settlement agreement, the Fond du Lac Band released all of its claims to land under the treaty.

"This agreement would not have been possible without the full co-operation, determination, and support of the Province of Saskatchewan and the Band," said Crombie. "The agreement holds excellent economic opportunity for the band."

One parcel has good potential for mineral development and the others have tourism development potential, as well as hunting, fishing and trapping, all of which will mean additional jobs for Band members.

A settlement agreement, voted on by the Band, was signed between the province's Indian Affairs Minister, Sid Dutchak, federal Indian Affairs Minister David Crombie, and Eldor Resources Limited. Mr. Dutchak said that the transfer will facilitate joint ventures with mineral development companies, with royalties flowing to the Band. Mr. Dutchak also said that evidence of gold and uranium on the land has been amassed.

A federal/provincial agreement was also signed with Eldor Resources to allow

for mineral development. As a result of negotiations with Eldor, the Band will receive a $100,000 bonus and other considerations, and Eldor received a mineral lease for 22,366 acres of land which includes a portion of the settlement lands and a portion of an existing reserve.

The Chief of Fond du Lac, August Mercredi, said that his Band is extremely pleased with the settlement. "We are excited and optimistic about the possibilities that this settlement offers for the future economic and employment opportunities for the Band," he said.