Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatoon SK – First Nations lay claim to all rare earth minerals on Treaty territories, say the leaders of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN).

As the province moves forward with the Saskatchewan Growth Plan: the Next Decade of Growth 2020- 2030, First Nations seek inclusion and engagement in the economy.

Today, an announcement by Energy and Resources Minister Jim Reiter was not discussed with First Nations. Reiter introduced a proposed increase to the Saskatchewan Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (SMETC) from 10 per cent to 30 per cent to entice investment and mining.

FSIN says as the province makes exploration incentives more competitive, First Nations must be included.

“With First Nations people comprising one of the fastest growing youth populations in the province and up-and-coming workforce, we encourage the Saskatchewan government to engage in meaningful inclusion with First Nations in critical mineral mining and resource revenue sharing in the days to come. Rare earth minerals are not exclusively the property of the provincial government. These rare earth minerals are being mined on First Nations’ ancestral and traditional territory. Investors and companies interested in mining rare earth minerals must meet with First Nations chiefs and community leaders to seek their inclusion and approval prior to extracting these non-renewable resources. Our Inherent and Treaty rights guaranteed a century ago, and enshrined in international law, provide us with rights to these minerals,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron.

Saskatchewan has 23 of the 31 critical minerals on the Canadian Critical Minerals List, says the province. The 2023 Budget claims to build on Saskatchewan’s position as a global leader in the exploration and mining of critical minerals.

“Our Inherent and Treaty rights need to be accommodated. All of these critical minerals are situated within First Nations’ ancestral and Treaty territory. The budget commits $4.0 million to expand Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentives, including exploration drilling for all hard-rock minerals and increases the funding limit to support emerging commodities. However, before Saskatchewan solicits investments from around the globe, they need to ensure that they consult with First Nations to guarantee Inherent and Treaty rights are not infringed upon and that we are included in economic opportunities in the province we inhabit,” said Fourth Vice Chief Heather Bear.

FSIN says the Growth Plan excludes First Nations and is racist in its attempt to harvest natural resources without engaging First Nations people and including them in economic opportunities going forward. Besides rare earth mining, the province says the Growth Plan goals for the year 2030 are to increase potash sales to $9 billion, double the size of the forestry industry, and increase oil production to 600,000 barrels per day. FSIN leaders say this is a plan to strip the resources from the land without depositing any wealth into First Nations coffers.

“Once non-renewable resources are extracted from the ground they are gone forever. Once the wealth has been dispersed and spent, it’s gone. We’d like to work with the province to create a resource revenue sharing agreement to ensure our First Nations people are included in employment opportunities and First Nations companies are considered for contracts,” said Fourth Vice Chief Heather Bear, Lands and Resources Portfolio holder.

SOURCES:

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/budget-planning-and-reporting/plan-for-growth/30-goals-for-2030

About FSIN

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations represents 73 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.

-30-

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Lisa Risom

Director of Communications

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations

10 – 134 Kahkewistahaw Crescent

Treaty Six Territory

Saskatoon, SK S7R 0M9

Cell: 306-987-0505 | FSIN Office: 306-665-1215

Email: [email protected]

NT5

Saskatoon, SK, March 28, 2023 – Following a critical and historic conference, the Île-à-la-Crosse Survivors Committee, with support from the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S), commends and honours the Survivors for their enduring resiliency and strength. Coming together in a safe environment reaffirms Survivors’ calls for both the federal and provincial governments to work with them to negotiate a fair and just resolution for the horrific abuse they endured at these government run “schools”.

“This weekend was the first time that many Survivors were able to come together – some were reunited for the first time since they left the school decades ago,” explained Île-à-la-Crosse Survivors Committee member Duane Favel, “For many, it was the first opportunity to speak to other Survivors about their time at the school, reaffirming and validating their experiences. I believe that this weekend has given many Survivors a real opportunity to begin the healing journey that they have been looking for their whole lives.”

The emotional weekend saw many tears and laughter shared among the Elders, Survivors, and family members present. This gathering was the first of its kind for the Survivors of Île-à-la-Crosse.

“We have heard clearly from our Survivors that they want more opportunities to come together and heal as a community,” stated MN–S Vice President Michelle LeClair, “Community is at the centre of our Nation. We have heard the Survivors and are committed to ensuring they have more opportunities to gather and continue their journey toward healing and justice.”

Survivors and their families were also updated on the status of the new legal action brought forward on their behalf against both the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan. Throughout the weekend Survivors called for both governments to come to the table and negotiate in good faith and expressed their desire for swift resolution.

“Survivors were clear, they want a quick resolution to this court case, but that cannot happen if Canada and Saskatchewan aren’t at the table to negotiate with our Survivors in good faith,” stated LeClair. “Survivors expressed their disappointment and frustration with the lack of action on the part of Saskatchewan. We will continue to push the

provincial government to do what is right and that is to negotiate with the Survivors before it is too late. Every year we lose more Survivors, we cannot have any more delays or excuses.”

A group of Survivors representing the Île-à-la-Crosse Survivors Committee now head to Toronto to participate in the National Gathering on Unmarked Burials, where they will be speaking on several panels to further awareness of Île-à-la-Crosse and the Métis experience in the residential school system.

More information on the weekend’s events and the Île-à-la-Crosse Residential School can be found at United4Survivors.ca.

–30–

About the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School Steering Committee

The Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School Steering Committee Inc. is comprised of 12 board members representing twenty communities in Northwest Saskatchewan. The committee has been actively advocating for Survivors of the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School for over twenty years. Founding members of the committee include Antoinette Lafleur, Emile Janvier, Margaret Aubichon, and Duane Favel.

About Métis Nation–Saskatchewan

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) is the recognized government of the Métis Nation in Saskatchewan. MN–S is built on a foundation of Métis identity, culture, values, and language. MN–S works to advance Métis rights and recognition. MN–S represents the political, socioeconomic, cultural, and educational interests of more than 80,000 Métis in the province through an elected representative system at local, regional, and provincial levels.

For Media Inquiries:
Rena Montgomerie
MN-S Senior Communications Officer
[email protected]
306-250-1092

NT5