CANADA CELEBRATES HISTORIC SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH STURGEON LAKE FIRST NATION AND PROVINCE

Released on June 19, 2007

After three years of tripartite negotiations and a successful First Nation ratification vote, this agreement provides the First Nation with a settlement amount of approximately $10.4 million for an outstanding TLE shortfall as well as the entitlement to purchase land. In addition, Canada will provide $620,501 for negotiation, ratification and acquisition costs.

"This settlement shows that when all the parties - Canada, the First Nation and the Province - are committed, decisive success at the negotiation table is possible," said Minister Prentice. "This settlement will bring economic benefits to the Sturgeon Lake First Nation and local communities as well as providing certainty for government, industry and non-Aboriginal Canadians."

Settling this claim enables the First Nation to invest directly in the province's economy through the purchase of land and through future economic development opportunities. Under the Agreement, Sturgeon Lake First Nation is entitled to purchase up to 38,971 acres (15,588 hectares) of land, on a willing-seller/willing-buyer basis, to convert to reserve status.

"This is indeed a historic occasion for our people of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation," Daniels said. "The settling of this Treaty Land Entitlement provides hope to our people that there is a spirit of continuity - the continuity of a people from the first Chief and leadership that signed the Treaty, to our ancestors and Elders who got us here, and forward to our children and grandchildren as well as to future generations who have the most to benefit from this agreement. We acknowledge the efforts of the negotiators, the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice, the Provincial Minister Maynard Sonntag, and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Lawrence Joseph on this special day."

"The successful negotiation of this agreement is a significant achievement for Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan and Canada," Borgerson said. "In addition to satisfying the Province's obligation to help Canada fulfill outstanding TLEs, this settlement charts a path to greater economic and social development opportunities for the First Nation and its members and contributes to Saskatchewan's goal of building brighter futures for individuals, families and communities."

Negotiations between Canada, Saskatchewan and the First Nation began in June 2004, and a final agreement has now been achieved. The membership of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation ratified the agreement on January 25, 2007. Ninety two per cent of those members who voted, voted to accept the settlement.

The Sturgeon Lake First Nation is located approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In 1876, Canada and several First Nations in Saskatchewan and Alberta, including Sturgeon Lake First Nation, entered into Treaty 6, which formed the basis for this claim. There are about 2,300 registered members of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation.

This release, and a fact sheet, are also available on the Internet at www.inac.gc.ca and http://www.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Shelley Fayant
First Nations and Métis Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-798-4071
Email: sfayant@fnmr.gov.sk.ca

Deirdra McCracken
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
Phone: 819-997-0002

INAC
Phone: 819-953-11600
Earl Ermine
Sturgeon Lake First Nation
Phone: 306-922-8127

Jack Long
Sturgeon Lake First Nation
Phone: 306-961-4999