Treaty Land Entitlement Fact Sheet

The Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement was signed by Saskatchewan, Canada, and 25 First Nations in September 1992. Eight separate but similar agreements have since been signed with individual First Nations. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, Entitlement First Nations will receive approximately $595 million over 12 years to buy up to 2.28 million acres of land to add to its reserves.

Saskatchewan is legally obligated to participate in TLE settlements due to the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (1930). Pursuant to this agreement, 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 to enable Canada to fulfil its obligations under treaties with First Nations. Since sufficient unoccupied Crown lands no longer exist in Saskatchewan to settle outstanding TLE, the Province has agreed to share with Canada the cost of providing money to Entitlement First Nations to purchase private and Crown lands.

The minimum provincial contribution to the costs of TLE will be 30%. According to the terms of the cost-sharing agreement, the Province could contribute up to an additional 19% based on actual provincial savings from the transfer of northern communities to reserve status. The total cost to the Province will be between $182 million and $277.2 million.

As of October 1, 2009, 759,191 acres have attained reserve status in Saskatchewan through the TLE process. As a result of the land attaining reserve status, 26 Entitlement First Nations have achieved their Shortfall Acres (the minimum amount of acres that must attain reserve status). Approximately 749,679 acres of land are currently under active selection by Entitlement First Nations.

The TLE agreements specify that land transfers must occur on a "willing seller - willing buyer" basis. This has led to progress in the southern part of the province where most land is privately held. In northern Saskatchewan, much of the land is Crown-owned with occupant interests. This has made the TLE process more challenging. In order to facilitate the TLE process and to ensure that occupant interests are satisfied, the Province initiated mediation assistance to Entitlement First Nations in 1995. To date, mediation has been successful in bringing parties together to discuss interests, issues and concerns. It has also been successful in aiding three Entitlement First Nations gain the occupant/third party consents required to purchase Crown land. Two of the Crown land acquisitions enabled the First Nations to achieve their Shortfall Acres. The Province is hopeful that this forum for discussion will contribute to resolution of issues and the establishment of harmonious relations between First Nations and their neighbouring communities.

In addition to fulfilling past Treaty commitments, the TLE agreements will lead to greater economic and social independence and self-sufficiency for First Nations and will provide economic development opportunities for all people of the Province.

Updated October 16, 2009