New nation secures land base

Page 8

An historic signing ceremony between Smith's Landing First Nation and the federal and Alberta governments was held May 6 in Fitzgerald, Alta. The occasion celebrated the province's newest First Nation securing its land base.

Smith's Landing Chief Jerry Paulette, the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Robert Nault, and provincial Associate Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Pearl Calahasen, signed the agreement that formalized a hand-shake deal made in January. Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps was a co-signatory.

Other dignitaries attending the gathering that attracted between 400 and 500 people were Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine; Treaty 8 Grand Chief Jim Boucher; Northwest Territories' Premier Steven Kakfwi; Member of Parliament for Western Arctic and Secretary of State (Children and Youth) Ethel Blondin-Andrew; Senator Nick Sibbeston; and Wood Buffalo National Park Superintendent Josie Weninger.

Tsuu T'ina Chief Roy Whitney made a presentation at the feast which followed at the Fort Smith Community Arena in the N.W.T.

The agreement turns over $28 million and about 2,500 acres in Wood Buffalo National Park from federal jurisdiction to the 272-member First Nation. The bulk of the reserve consists of 19,000 acres, which was transferred from Alberta, along with $3.2 million.

"Our First Nation has worked hard to achieve the creation of a new band for Smith's Landing First Nation and the fact we managed to negotiate and finalize a treaty land entitlement settlement agreement at the same time, it makes the achievement feel twice as good," said Chief Paulette.

"It will mean self-sufficiency, and also we'll have our own government," said Deputy Chief Fred Daniels. "And probably education and housing for our children." About 60 per cent of their members are children and youth, who currently live and attend school in Fort Smith, N.W.T. The First Nation will now put together a planning committee to create a development strategy and establish zoning for the reserve, Daniels said. He adds that one possible revenue-generator for them is gravel; there are five gravel sites on the reserve.

The deputy chief says despite the long wait for their land, "now's the right time." He says his people have the advantage of seeing some of the mistakes some other land claimant groups have made and steering themselves away from making the same mistakes. "Had we done it 15 years ago, we'd be the ones that're learning," said Daniels.

The Chipewyan people that lived on both sides of the 60th parallel became part of Treaty 8 when an 1899 adhesion at Smith's Landing was made on behalf of the "Chipewyan Indians of Slave River and the country thereabouts." Many name changes followed, but by 1937, they were known as the Chipewyan Band at Fort Smith and Fort Fitgerald.

The border between Alberta and the Northwest Territories was established in 1905. In 1916, the chief asked the government to survey reserves for the Indians of Fort Smith and Smith's Landing (Fitzgerald). The sites selected were near Salt River on both sides of the Slave River near Pte. de Gravois and at Pine Lake.

But this choice conflicted with the government's plan to create Wood Buffalo National Park, which was done in 1922. A year later, just 10.83 acres was "set aside" within Smith's Landing settlement for the local Aboriginal inhabitants. Years of delays on the part of the government in settling its treaty obligations followed.

In 1987, the Salt River First Nation voted in assembly for the creation of a separate Fitzgerald band. At first only about 100 people were interested in joining the fledgling First Nation, but they added members as land title negotiations gained momentum.

They had the support of Treaty 8 Tribal Council, which includes Salt River First Nation. The tribal council was pushing Canada to fulfil its treaty obligations at least since 1992.

On March 12 last year, Smith's Landing First Nation's chief ngotiator Francois Paulette and INAC's chief negotiator Tim Christian agreed to a settlement of $28 million.

On Dec. 20, 1999, the parties signed the land claim settlement agreement, which the First Nation ratified on Jan. 28.