'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 NEWS Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'