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For the second time in a month, a Saskatchewan First Nation is getting Crown mineral rights from the provincial government.
In a media release Thursday, the government said 63 hectares (or 156 acres) of Crown mineral rights are to be transferred to the Ocean Man First Nation near Stoughton when the surface attains reserve status.
In early April, a similar agreement was reached with the Cowessess First Nation.
“These transfers are part of Saskatchewan’s continued commitment to work with our partners to transfer land and minerals to reserve status, directly supporting the growth of First Nation communities,” Don McMorris, the province’s minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, said in the release.
“The facilitation of reserve creation directly supports the growth of First Nation communities and continues to serve an important role in the ongoing economic reconciliation between governments and Saskatchewan’s First Nations.”
According to the release, First Nations can submit a written request to the Government of Saskatchewan to start the transfer process, identifying the Crown minerals for selection. The First Nation and the government then negotiate a purchase price for the minerals, with all sales requiring the consent of any existing Crown mineral rights holder.
“Once all conditions are met, the Crown minerals are transferred to the Government of Canada through a Mineral Order in Council, which takes effect upon reserve creation,” the release explained.
“With the acquisition of new reserve lands, successful Specific Claims Settlement Agreements, signed between First Nations and the Government of Canada, support community growth and traditional land use as well as partnerships between First Nations, businesses and neighbouring communities, advance opportunities for business development in urban centres, and create economic development and employment opportunities in the mining, oil and gas, business and agriculture sectors.”
