Sturgeon Lake First Nation[Treaty land entitlement]

The Sturgeon Lake First Nation is located near Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, about 50 kilometres northwest of Prince Albert. There are about 2,000 registered band members.

This Cree/Saulteaux First Nation adhered to Treaty 6 with Chief Ah-yah-tus-kum-ik-am near Fort Carlton, on August 23, 1876. Until 1963, it was known as William Twatt’s Band. Research has determined that these people did not receive the reserve land to which they were entitled, according to the formula set out in the treaty. In March 2004, Canada accepted the Sturgeon Lake First Nation’s claim that it had breached its lawful obligation in that there is an outstanding treaty land entitlement shortfall of 2,032 acres of land.

Negotiation of the claim began in September 2004. The ICC has acted as facilitator of the negotiations from the beginning, including a Treaty Land Entitlement Common Table in the fall of 2004 of Sturgeon Lake, Gordon, Muskoday and Pasqua First Nations to reach a common approach with Canada respecting issues relating to the determination of an adjusted-date-of-first-survey (ADOFS) populations. After an exchange of relevant documents and two meetings, the parties were able to agree on eligibility criteria for ADOFS so that each First Nation could proceed with its individual negotiation.

By the end of the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the parties had reached a tentative settlement and were finalizing a few remaining outstanding issues. Plans were beginning for ratification of the settlement in the First Nation community.