'Not backing down on this': Sask. Indigenous leaders call on province to improve consultation ahead of Crown land auctions
Indigenous leaders across Saskatchewan are calling on the provincial government to halt an upcoming Crown land auction and to improve the consultation process moving forward.
On Jan. 31, the Ministry of Agriculture is scheduled to host an online auction for the lease of Crown land for agriculture purposes. The highest bidders in the auction will receive parcels of land for up to 33 years.
Indigenous leaders and their community members say this goes against their Treaty rights.
“Crown land sale leases that are up to 33 years result in unjustifiable infringement of our Treaty rights to meaningfully hunt, trap, fish, harvest and gather within our traditional territories,” Chief Henry Lewis of Onion Lake Cree Nation said on Monday.
Members of his community use the land surrounding their reserve for those practices, but won’t be able to continue doing so if the land is auctioned off.
Terri Quinney, the duty to consult coordinator for Onion Lake Cree Nation, said she found out about the upcoming auction two weeks ago when browsing online.
“We didn’t receive no notices, no nothing.” Quinney said.
“The only reason why follow up is occurring is because we initiated it. How many other nations have been missed?” Quinney said.
She said it’s premature for the province to put the auction on its website without thoroughly consulting Indigenous communities first.
"We’re not backing down on this. It’s good to see other nations here but we need more nations to come forward and say what the problems are that they’re having too.”
Saskatchewan’s NDP is joining in on the call to halt the upcoming land auction and is asking for improved consultation going forward.
“When the government intentionally restricts the consultation process, it’s no wonder Indigenous communities feel ignored and disrespected,” NDP MLA Betty Nippi-Albright said, adding that any consultation that may be taking place is currently minimal at best.
In a statement, the Government of Saskatchewan said it reviewed its First Nation and Metis Consultation Policy Framework in the summer and fall of 2022. It said that has included conversations with First Nation and Metis communities about the successes, strengths and opportunities to improve the current framework and said that continues to be ongoing.
Before leasing or selling Crown land, the government said the ministry reviews each parcel consistent with that framework to determine if the duty to consult is triggered.
“The Ministry of Agriculture consults with potentially affected First Nation and Metis communities in advance of auctions,” the statement said.
Members from Ochapowace First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Peepeekisis Cree Nation and more were present at the Saskatchewan Legislature on Monday.
Some leaders say if the land auction on Jan. 31 goes ahead, they will pursue legal action.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Have you been removed from your family doctor’s patient list for visiting an Ontario walk-in clinic?
Some Ontarians are expressing frustration after they said that they were removed from their family doctor’s patient list for visiting a walk-in clinic in a process being called “de-rostering.”
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Canadian government proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.