The change is meant to provide the Lac La Ronge Indian Band with more economic opportunities. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

First Nations

LLRIB seeks to create six new urban reserves

Aug 23, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) is moving to create six new urban reserves in Air Ronge, La Ronge and Saskatoon.

The band is currently in the process of securing service agreements with each of the municipalities as part of the process of changing the official status of the land with the federal and provincial governments. So far, a ceremony between the LLRIB and the City of Saskatoon has been scheduled for Sept. 11 at 211 Wheeler Street.

The address is the location of Canada North Environmental Services, a company owned by Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership, the economic arm of the LLRIB. CanNorth is a private environmental consulting company wholly owned by the band that provides high quality environmental and heritage services to a diversity of clients for a wide range of projects.

“The intention is to establish this urban reserve to ensure the LLRIB members who are studying science, technology, engineering and math at the post-secondary level have a landing place upon completion of their degree,” Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said.

“The goal is to have these urban reserves provide our community the opportunity for economic development including commercial, residential and industrial activities.”

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Other properties that will be converted into urban reserve land include 112 La Ronge Ave., 1112 Finlayson St., 1120 Finlayson St., and 1119 Poirier St., all in La Ronge, as well as the former site of La Ronge Industries along Highway 2 in Air Ronge.

At a regular La Ronge council meeting on Tuesday, council voted unanimously to give administration authorization to enter into servicing agreements with the band. The LLRIB currently has one urban reserve in La Ronge located downtown at the site of a former residential school and cemetery.

“Administration has been working with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band on their request to convert some lands to reserve lands,” Chief Administrative Officer Lyle Hannan told council.

“Essentially, the service agreement makes it so the arrangement is similar to any other property owner. The only change is in regards to tax enforcement processes where there’s more of a mediation process that is in place if there ever is an issue with the servicing agreement.”

Cook-Searson mentioned there is no date set for when the Air Ronge and La Ronge properties will officially convert to urban reserve land.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com