Muskeg Lake Cree Nation will be adding another urban reserve property in Saskatoon.
The Cree Nation signed a formal municipal services agreement with the city Wednesday afternoon.
The land at 143 Aspen place will be Muskeg Lake’s third urban reserve area in Saskatoon. The Cree Nation has other urban reserve land located in Sutherland and another at the Creeway West Petro Canada on 22 Street West.
“The original urban reserve agreement between Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and Saskatoon in 1988 was historic for Canada and helped clear a pathway for urban reserves to be created across the country since,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon have seen tremendous benefits from this partnership and friendship ever since. Today we build on this relationship by signing our third urban reserve agreement, to create opportunities for both of our communities for generations to come.”
According to officials from Wednesday’s signing ceremony, the urban reserve land has generated millions of dollars in investments for the city.
The agreement signed is a municipal services agreement and paves the way for the urban reserve with the City committing municipal and policing services to the reserve land in exchange for a fee.
“Our partnership with the City of Saskatoon continues to grow as we look toward the future,” said Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe. “By working together with the City, we’re not only focused on expanding our urban reserve and creating economic opportunities but also on addressing the well-being of our communities.”
The urban reserve status will now have to wait for final approval from Indigenous Services Canada.
If approved, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation will be the owners of the 11th urban reserve in Saskatoon.