Sask chiefs oppose provincial land sales

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) is trying to convince the government of Saskatchewan to stop issuing permits on traditional land, but the message is falling on deaf ears.

FSIN organized a rally in front of the Saskatchewan legislative building in Regina on May 18. They demanded that the provincial government revoke the 30 permits issued to companies on land around George Gordon First Nation (GGFN).

FSIN Vice-Chief Lyle Whitefish said the rally gave him the opportunity to meet with both Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Bill Hutchinson and Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd. However, he expects his presentation did not sway their decision.

“My office hasn’t heard from Minister Hutchinson, so that tells me they are going ahead with it,” said Whitefish, who expressed to both Ministers that GGFN should have the opportunity to purchase the traditional land under their Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) before it is handed off to other buyers.

In 1992 the Saskatchewan government and 25 First Nations signed TLE agreements, which is a formal recognition of the insufficient land that the First Nations received under Treaties.

The qualifying First Nations, such as GGFN, have access to $596 million to buy up to 2.28 million acres of land.
According to director of communications for the Ministry of Energy and Resources Bob Ellis, the government openly lists lands that are posted for sale. First Nations are free to purchase the said lands under their respective TLE agreements.

“We are working to honour the TLE agreements we have signed with various First Nations including George Gordon [and] our judgments is that those agreements have been working well,” said Ellis, who added that he wasn’t clear on what lands the FSIN are specifically referring to.

Whitefish said GGFN was not properly consulted when decisions were made by the provincial government regarding surrounding land.

“They say they have consulted us but they haven’t,” said Whitefish.

The FSIN Chiefs-in-Assembly have passed a resolution calling for a moratorium on all permits until a map of First Nations traditional lands can be completed.

GGFN’s TLE has a total value of almost $26.7 million. The reserve has a membership of almost 3,200 and is approximately 35,678 acres.