Nearly 195 hectares, or 480 acres, of Crown mineral rights are being transferred to Cowessess First Nation under its Land Entitlement Settlement Agreement. Minister Responsible for First Nations, Metis Relations and Northern Affairs, Don McMorris, considers this another milestone in Saskatchewan’s commitment to Treaty duties and economic reconciliation.

A provincial government news release states that acquiring new reserve lands through TLE agreements supports community growth and traditional land use. This transfer is part of the province’s commitment to TLE settlement agreements, aimed at ensuring that First Nation communities receive the land promised them under historical Treaties.

Under the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement in 1930, Saskatchewan has a constitutional obligation to assist the federal government with this promise. Since 1992, the provincial and federal governments have committed $687 million for TLE settlements in Saskatchewan. Almost 889,000 acres have been transferred, and 1.48 million acres is outstanding. The province says work continues to fulfill these agreements and support community growth and development.