2-02693

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA CREATES NEW RESERVE LANDS UNDER MANITOBA TREATY LAND ENTITLEMENT FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA (August 5, 2005) - The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, announced today the creation of 10 new reserves in Manitoba, totaling 9,334.45 acres. The new reserve lands were established over the past year in partial fulfillment of the Manitoba Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement.

“The creation of these new reserve lands marks an important step forward in meeting the Government of Canada’s obligations as set out in the Manitoba Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement,” Minister Scott said. “The collaborative energy and effort that made today’s announcement possible will continue as we work towards the total and absolute fulfillment of the agreement.”

Citing the positive impact of the new reserves, Minister Scott explained, “The newly established reserve lands provide the First Nations with additional economic resources on which to explore community development opportunities and to improve the quality of life for First Nation members.”

The new reserve lands set apart under the Manitoba Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement since April 1, 2004 are as follows:

• Buffalo Point First Nation
  Indian Reserve No. 1 92.4 acres
  Indian Reserve No. 2 859.7 acres
  Indian Reserve No. 36A 1,191.3 acres
  
  
• God’s Lake First Nation
  Andrew Bay Indian Reserve 168.5 acres
  Chataway Lake/Knife Lake Indian Reserve 277.0 acres
  Vermilyea Lake Indian Reserve 8.35 acres
  
  
• Rolling River First Nation
  Indian Reserve No. 67A 2,350.7 acres
  
  
• Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation
  Indian Reserve No. 4 472.0 acres
  Indian Reserve No. 5 3,644.2 acres
  Indian Reserve No. 6 270.3 acres

The Manitoba Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement was signed by Canada, Manitoba and the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee on behalf of 20 First Nations on May 29, 1997 at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. The agreement is intended to provide land to the 20 First Nations, fulfilling a long-standing commitment arising from Treaties signed by Canada and the First Nations between 1871 and 1910. The agreement sets out the process and the mechanism agreed to by the federal and provincial governments and the 20 First Nations.

Information on the Manitoba Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement is attached.

For more information, please contact:

Gilbert Savard
Director, Regional Secretariat
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Manitoba Regional Office
(204) 983-6195

Facts on File

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