‘We’re not backing down:’ First Nations call on the province to stop the sale of Crown land

The Onion Lake Cree Nation and the Yellow Quill First Nation are calling on the Saskatchewan government to halt its sale and lease of Crown land.

During a news conference organized by the Saskatchewan NDP on Monday at the Legislature, the First Nations said if the province does not reverse its decision, they will have no choice but to go to the Supreme Court of Canada.

“This is a direct infringement on our Treaty rights and next steps we have no choice but to go legal,” said Terri Quinney, the Duty to Consult co-ordinator with the Onion Lake Cree Nation.

“This is a real challenge for us. We’re not backing down on this.”

Additionally, the First Nations said they were not consulted properly. Quinney said she found out by looking online two weeks ago.

“This is premature to put this on (the province’s) website without saying anything to us. It’s a complete disregard (and) disrespect of us (and) of our Nations,” she said.

Quinney believes many other First Nations have been missed because they only got a follow-up because she initiated a conversation with the provincial government.

According to the NDP’s Betty Nippi-Albright — the Opposition Critic for First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs — once the land is sold, the buyer can do whatever they want with it. But if it’s leased, it will be used for agricultural purposes.

She said once it is sold, the buyers do not have to consult with the First Nations because it will have become private.

Nippi-Albright added that First Nations are being asked to relocate from their traditional gathering place.

She also said she has personal connections to these areas where relocation is being suggested.

“There used to be a creek where my ancestors would go and bathe themselves. Today it is dry,” Nippi-Albright said.

She added people who live on those First Nations are being displaced.

“When Nations are being impacted and the government is saying there is a very low impact to the environment, that’s a load of crap,” Nippi-Albright said.

She also believes if the Saskatchewan government took the time to speak with those First Nations, it would understand the richness of those lands.

The auction for the Crown land is scheduled for Jan. 31.

The highest bidders for the lands could have them for up to 33 years and could impact traditional practices.

980 CJME reached out to the Saskatchewan government for a comment, but hadn’t heard back by the time of publication.

A map of Crown land that’s to be sold or auctioned off on Jan. 31. (Lindsay Newman/980 CJME)