Muskowekwan gives go ahead to potash development

Muskowekwan First Nation voted on Feb. 25 to approve a proposal from Encanto Potash to expand designation of mineral rights. Eighty per cent of band members who voted cast their ballots in favour of the development. Just over half of eligible band members turned out.  “This vote is a clear mandate from our membership to continue with our work to develop Canada’s first potash mine on our First Nation lands,” said Muskowekwan Chief Reginald Bellerose in a news release. The result of this vote is the same as an earlier vote held. However, the earlier polling was deemed invalid as less than half of eligible members voted. If developed, the mine on land northeast of Regina would be the first of its kind on a First Nation reserve.