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COWESSESS FIRST NATION, SASK. — Nearly 195 hectares (480 acres) of Crown mineral rights will be transferred to Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan under the Cowessess Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Settlement Agreement.

The TLE agreements provide First Nations with entitlement monies to purchase land anywhere in the province on a “willing buyer-willing seller” basis and add it to their reserves, a release said.  

Under the terms of the agreement all undisposed provincial Crown minerals underlying lands purchased by the First Nation are to be transferred at no cost to the Government of Canada for the purposes of reserve creation. 

“Transferring mineral rights to Cowessess First Nation marks another milestone in Saskatchewan’s commitment to Treaty duties and economic reconciliation. Saskatchewan is blessed with resources and these agreements ensure that all communities are benefitting from our province’s growth,” provincial Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis Relations and Northern Affairs Don McMorris said in the release.

Since 1992, the provincial and federal governments have committed $687 million for TLE settlements in Saskatchewan. Approximately 888,806 acres have been transferred, with 1.48 million acres outstanding, the release said.

The provincial Ministry of Government Relations co-ordinates and manages the provincial implementation of the TLE agreements between Canada, Saskatchewan and 36 First Nations.