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AGREEMENT PAVES THE WAY FOR WITCHEKAN LAKE FIRST NATION TO ACQUIRE NEW PASTURE LAND

Released on December 15, 1997

The Witchekan Lake First Nation has achieved a historic milestone,

becoming the first Saskatchewan First Nation under the Saskatchewan

Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Framework Agreement to reach an

agreement regarding the purchase of Crown community pasture land.



The Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern

Development, the Honourable Eric Upshall, Saskatchewan Minister of

Agriculture and Food and Chief Ken Thomas of the Witchekan Lake First

Nation announced today that a tripartite agreement has been reached

which lays the groundwork for the sale and management of the Bapaume

Community Pasture.



"This agreement is the result of a process requiring the commitment

and co-operation of all parties," Stewart said. "This community

pasture land is historically significant to the First Nation. I see

what is happening today as a step which will help the people of

Witchekan Lake build a firm foundation for the future, economically,

socially and in other ways as well."



"The Saskatchewan Government is committed to the TLE Framework

Agreement and this transaction represents a significant step in

self-determination for the Witchekan Lake First Nation," Upshall said.

"The patrons, as in the past, get to use the pasture, the difference

being that the First Nation now owns and operates the community

pasture. The objectives are still good quality grazing and land

conservation."



"The success of this agreement comes from the spirit of working

together," said Chief Ken Thomas. "For us, it started with

sitting down with our trustees and members and reaching a

consensus on how each benefits. The signing of the agreement is

the culmination of the work and perseverance of people like Ron

Fineday, Treaty Land Entitlement Co-ordinator for the Witchekan

Lake First Nation."



The Witchekan Lake First Nation has purchased the Bapaume

Community Pasture, consisting of 2,631 hectares (6,500 acres) and

located northwest of Spiritwood, just south of the existing

Witchekan Lake Reserve No. 114.



Under this agreement, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food will

continue to administer and operate the pasture for five grazing

seasons. At the end of the fifth grazing season, the First

Nation will take over the management of the pasture.



In accordance with the Saskatchewan TLE Framework Agreement,

75 per cent of the current community pasture patrons actually

using the pasture agreed to the sale. Without this agreement,

the pasture could not be sold. As part of this agreement, the

Witchekan Lake First Nation compensated the current patrons on a

one-time basis. The patrons will also be involved in the day to

day operations of the pasture and have assurances that they may

continue to use the pasture for 25 grazing seasons once the sale

is final. The Witchekan Lake First Nation derives economic

benefit from patron use of the pasture.



Funding for this initiative has been built into the existing

fiscal framework.



This tripartite agreement represents the collective efforts of

two governments, the First Nation and community pasture patrons

to initiate a significant economic opportunity for First Nations

people in the area.



Witchekan Lake First Nation is located 90 kilometres northeast of

North Battleford.



-30-



This release is also available on the Internet at

http://www.inac.gc.ca



For more information, contact:



Lois Herback

Director, Executive Services/Communications

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Saskatchewan Region

Regina

Phone: (306)780-6442



Wilf Pyle

Manager, Land Use

Agriculture and Food

Regina

Phone: (306)787-7184



Chief Ken Thomas

Witchekan Lake First Nation

Saskatchewan

Phone: (306)883-2787

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