Band members set to celebrate huge land claim

Page 2

More than 800 people are expected to gather outside of Saskatoon at Wanuskewin Park to celebrate the completion of a $455 million land claim for 27 Saskatchewan bands.

"We are ready to rock and roll here," Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations negotiator Winston McLean said of the claim tied up in details for weeks as it neared completion.

"We were told to organize (the celebration) for 500 people. We're up to 800. It will be standing room only - the logistics are a nightmare."

The ceremony at the new park, the site of First Nations gatherings for 6,000 years, will include a program of cultural activities and entertainment.

One of the first steps toward implementation of the agreement will be drawing up band membership lists, McLean said. Individual bands now have up to three years to sort out memberships and select their lands.

Under the now complete umbrella agreement, 27 bands will receive funds over the next 12 years to purchase land from farmers and towns to fulfill unmet treaty organizations, some more than 100 years old.