Treaty land entitlement agreement transfers almost 800 acres to Cowessess First Nation

The Cowessess First Nation is set to receive more acres of Crown mineral rights.

The Government of Saskatchewan said about 795 acres of land — or 322 hectares — are going to be transferred to the First Nation after the surface attains reserve status.

The transfer is part of the Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Settlement Agreement, which provides First Nations with entitlement funds that allow them to purchase land anywhere in Saskatchewan to add to their reserves.

In April, Cowessess received about 147 acres of Crown mineral rights.

In a release from the province, Don McMorris, the minister responsible for First Nations, Métis Relations and Northern Affairs, called TLE’s vital to fulfilling federal and provincial Treaty obligations and restoring land to First Nation communities.

Acquiring new reserve lands through successful TLE agreements supports community growth and traditional land use, the release from the province said. The process exists because many First Nations did not receive the land promised to them in historical Canadian Treaties.

Since 1992, the provincial and federal governments have committed more than $687 million for TLE settlements in Saskatchewan, with more than 887,000 acres transferred.

Three First Nations in Saskatchewan saw TLE agreements finalized in 2022 — the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak and Zagimē Anishinabēk. Currently, two other First Nations are in negotiations for an agreement with the province.

The provincial government said Saskatchewan has transferred more acres to reserve status under our TLE agreements than any other province in Canada.