Number of urban reserves in Saskatchewan grows again

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Eleven-and-a-half years after the Saulteaux First Nation signed a Treaty Land Entitlement Settlement Agreement with the provincial government, the First Nation finally has an urban reserve.

"I'am proud to say our hard work has finally come to an end," Saulteaux Chief Brian Moccasin said when creation of the new reserve was officially announced on Nov. 19. "For over a decade our Elders and leaders have pursued the goal of an urban reserve. Now that we've reached this goal, it's time to turn our attention to the potential economic development opportunities it will bring to Saulteaux First Nation and its neighbouring communities."

The new reserve is located in the resort village of Cochin near Jackfish Lake. It is only .57 acres, but is home to the Cochin convenience centre, recently renamed the White Buffalo Gas and Confectionary. The business sells gas, tobacco and confectionary items to residents, cottagers and campers and two local First Nations.

The Saulteaux First Nation purchased the convenience centre prior to 1992 and has been fighting to have the property designated as reserve land since the Treaty Land Entitlement Settlement was formalized on April 7, 1993. The biggest stumbling block to creating the urban reserve was the Village of Cochin, which did not want to lose tax revenue from the store, said Moccasin. The village and the First Nation eventually found a compromise, he said.

"We were able to have a service agreement in place, meaning that they'll do our water, our road maintenance, our garbage pick-up, in the amount of what they'd lose on their tax base," explained Moccasin.

Moccasin credited the new mayor of Cochin, Ernie Callow, for paving the way for a meeting of minds between the two communities.

"I'm glad that he came forward and joined us on our celebrations and even congratulated the [Saulteaux] community for the amount of time it took to get this far."

The new reserve designation means status Indians will be able to buy tax-exempt gasoline and tobacco products at White Buffalo Gas and Confectionery. Chief Moccasin said the reserve opens up possibilities to generate revenue, create jobs and expand the business. It also means that they can use revenue to improve community infrastructure and buildings and sponsor programs such as a youth recreation.

Moccasin said the First Nation has a four-phase plan in effect for the urban reserve. First, they are restructuring and training their management and sales staff. Next, they plan to build a grocery outlet, which they will later expand into a full grocery and hardware store. Adding a restaurant is the third phase of their plan, while the fourth phase will see a mechanical shop and car wash coming into the mix.

To date, Saulteaux has almost 27,637 acres of entitlement reserve land. Under the treaty settlement in 1993, Saulteaux is entitled to a total of 56,144 acres. The First Nation also plans to establish an urban reserve in Saskatoon.

"We have bought 66 acres out of Saskatoon, and 33 acres of it is set aside for commercial property and 33 acres of it is set aside for residential," Moccasin said. "I'm hopeful that piece of property will become reserve status next year so we can start building."

The urban reserve in Cochin is the 29th to be created in Saskatchewan. The first was created in Prince Albert in 1982. Other urban reserves have since been established in Saskatoon, North Battleford, Yorkton, Meadow Lake, Fort Qu'Appelle and a number of other smaller communities across the province.