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July 13, 2009 LAND SET ASIDE FOR OPASKWAYAK CREE NATION– – –Treaty Land Entitlement Commitment Continues: Struthers OPASKWAYAK CREE NATION¾Manitoba has completed the transfer to Canada of over 378,156 acres of land under the 1997 Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced at a meeting today with the Opaskwayak Cree Nation chief and council.
“Manitoba continues to work with First Nations to complete our treaty land entitlement obligations. Treaty land entitlement is a priority of the government. We continue to move forward on fulfilling our obligations to set aside 1.2 million acres under the 1997 Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement,” Struthers stated.
Manitoba has completed the transfer to Canada of two parcels of land totalling 13,818 acres of Crown (Manitoba) land known as 21A South (123 acres) and Egg Lake Amended (13,695 aces) for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation under the 1997 Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement.
Previously 10,557 acres of land were transferred to Canada on behalf of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. With today’s announcement, the remaining Crown land entitlement for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation will be 23,282 acres, the minister added.
The land transfers fall under treaty land entitlement agreements that require Manitoba to transfer unoccupied lands to Canada so it can fulfil the treaty land entitlement obligations.
Under the 1930 Manitoba Natural Resource Transfer Agreement, the province is constitutionally obligated to set aside unoccupied Crown land to allow Canada to fulfil outstanding treaty land entitlements to First Nations. Canada is responsible for survey costs and providing funds to purchase land. The federal government is responsible for setting the land apart as reserve.
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