Mineral Ownership Cannot Be Transferred Without First Nations Consent

Wednesday, 23 December 2009 00:00

(Saskatoon, SK) FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild is calling on the Province and the Minister of Natural Resources, Lisa Raitt, to meet immediately to discuss outstanding Treaty obligations with First Nations, in light of the recent settlement of the Soldiers Settlement Board mineral deal between Canada and the Province. Chief Lonechild stated that there are a number of Treaty obligations to be resolved with First Nations, including unresolved ownership and title to minerals under the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, resource revenue sharing, and other outstanding obligations under the Soldier Settlement Act.

Canada and the Province recently reached a deal which granted Saskatchewan the ownership of 34,000 hectares of Soldier Settlement Board minerals, and a payment of $32.9 million in consideration of revenues earned from these minerals in recent years. Part of the deal was that Saskatchewan relinquished all claims to ownership of an additional 24,000 hectares of Soldier Settlement Board minerals within the boundaries of surrendered reserves, to assist Canada in honoring its Treaty obligations to Saskatchewan First Nations.

FSIN Chief Lonechild explained, “Mineral ownership and revenue sharing is due and owing from Canada in relation to the 24,000 hectares, and in relation to the 34,000 hectares of Soldier Settlement Board minerals granted to the Province.” However, the issue of sharing in the wealth doesn’t stop there. He continued, “First Nations never surrendered minerals during the Treaty-making process. Therefore, the Crown cannot transfer mineral title and ownership to the Province without First Nations consent.”

FSIN Chief Lonechild stated, “First Nations will also be seeking a revenue sharing agreement with the Province that reflects our rights to minerals, lands, and resources in Western Canada”. The purpose of the Treaty-making process was to ensure that First Nations, and the Crown mutually benefit from sharing in the minerals, lands, and resources from all lands in Western Canada. An equitable revenue sharing agreement will contribute to the creation of certainty over the minerals, lands, and resources in Western Canada, which will not be achieved until Treaty obligations are fulfilled both on and off-reserve.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.

For More Information Please Contact:
Mervin Brass, Executive Director of Communications                    
Direct: 306.956-1026
Cellular: 306.220-7187
Facsimile: 306.665.0115
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