Urban Indian Reserves
Forging New Relationships in Saskatchewan
A new relationship is being forged between First Nations and municipal governments in Saskatchewan. In part this is due to the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, under which First Nations have received funds to acquire land in fulfillment of treaty promises. In many instances the land acquired has been in urban areas. This collection of essays examines the creation of four such urban reserves, two of which were created amidst considerable acrimony and two of which were created in political harmony between the local municipality and the First Nations band council. The contributors explain the political tensions and problems that arose; plus the legal, bureaucratic and social hurdles that had to be overcome. They discuss in detail the complex agreements reached between municipalities and First Nations to ensure bylaw and tax compatibility, among other things. Many of the contributors highlight what should and what should not be done when creating an urban reserve.
In this book both First Nations and municipal governments speak of their hopes and expectations in the creation of urban reserves. By taking the lead to craft collaborative local government arrangements, they have been proactive in shaping the future of their respective communities. The discussion will serve as a much needed resource to other communities.
The Saskatchewan urban reserve experience is relevant to land entitlement settlements in other provinces, and to comprehensive and specific claims settlements and other agreements that are expected in the future.
... Saskatchewan has been an incubator of practical innovation with respect to municipal-Aboriginal relations ... This book is a timely contribution to the sparse literature on municipal-Aboriginal relations.
Professor F. Laurie Barron was a founder and past head of the Native Studies Department, University of Saskatchewan. He authored two previous books.
Professor Joseph Garcea teaches local government, public administration, and public policy analysis in the Department of Political Studies, University of Saskatchewan. His special expertise and areas of publication are municipal and intergovernmental relations.
Foreword / Peter Frood
Preface / F. Laurie Barron and Joseph Garcea
Introduction / F. Laurie Barron and Joseph Garcea
1. The Genesis of Urban Reserves and the Role of Governmental Self-Interest / F. Laurie Barron and Joseph Garcea
2. Treaty Land Entitlement in Saskatchewan: A Context for the Creation of Urban Reserves in Saskatchewan / Peggy Martin McGuire
3. Legal and Jurisdictional Issues of Urban Reserves in Saskatchewan / Kathleen Makela
4. Textual Analysis of First Nation-Municipal Agreements / David Reed Miller
5. The FSIN and FSIN/SUMA Task Force Reports: Purposes, Processes and Provisions / Joseph Garcea
6. The Opawakoscikan Reserve in Prince Albert / The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
7. Municipal Perspectives from Prince Albert / Denton Yeo
8. Creation, Governance, and Management of the McKnight Commercial Centre in Saskatoon / Lester Lafond
9. Indian Urban Reserves and Community Development: Some Social Issues / Michael E. Gertler
Conclusion / F. Laurie Barron and Joseph Garcea
Appendix I: 1991 Additions to Reserves Policy
Appendix II: Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement 1992
Index
