City and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation sign new Urban Reserve Agreements
The City and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation have cleared a path to designate the First Nation’s land at 143 Aspen Place as an urban reserve. The site is located adjacent to Asimakaniseekan Askiy urban reserve, located in Sutherland. This urban reserve will become Muskeg Lake Cree Nation’s 3rd urban reserve in Saskatoon. The other is Creeway West Petro Canada, located on 22nd Street West.
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation has a long-standing relationship with the City of Saskatoon, dating back to establishing their first urban reserve, Asimakaniseekan Askiy in 1988, which was the first commercial urban reserve in Canada (and Saskatoon). Its success has been the foundation of those that have been created since. Today, it is currently home to 50 businesses and over 750 employees.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe, along with the Council of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Chair, Shirley Greyeyes, today signed urban reserve agreements during a special signing ceremony.
"The original urban reserve agreement between Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and Saskatoon in 1988 was historic for Canada and helped clear a pathway for urban reserves to be created across the country since. Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon have seen tremendous benefits from this partnership and friendship ever since. Today we build on this relationship by signing our third urban reserve agreement, to create opportunities for both of our communities for generations to come." says Mayor Charlie Clark.
At its regularly scheduled meeting on September 25, 2024, City Council approved the Municipal Services and Compatibility Agreement negotiated with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners also approved the Police Services Agreement at their regularly scheduled meeting on September 19, 2024. These agreements fulfill the municipal requirements for urban reserve designation.
The agreements address:
- municipal and police services the City will provide;
- service fees Muskeg Lake Cree Nation will pay the City in lieu of property taxes; and,
- compatible land-use and development standards.
“Our partnership with the City of Saskatoon continues to grow as we look toward the future. At Muskeg Lake, we always make decisions with the next seven generations in mind, ensuring that what we build today will benefit our children, grandchildren, and all those who come after us,” says Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe.
“By working together with the City, we’re not only focused on expanding our urban reserve and creating economic opportunities but also on addressing the well-being of our communities. Our goals include strengthening education, improving infrastructure, and preserving our culture to create a brighter future for everyone.”
Decisions on reserve designation are made by the federal government. Once the property is designated as a reserve, it will become the eleventh urban reserve in Saskatoon. When a property transfers to reserve status, it is no longer under City jurisdiction.
For more information on urban reserves, please visit saskatoon.ca/urbanreserves.
About Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is a member of the Saskatoon Tribal Council, whose home reserve is located in central Saskatchewan, 93 kilometres north of Saskatoon, and is bordered by the towns of Marcelin, Leask and Blaine Lake. It is accessible via Highways 40, 12 and 3A. A signatory to Treaty No. 6, with approximately 2,500 members, around 450 reside on the home reserve, while the remainder live in other communities off reserve, throughout the province, including several members living in Saskatoon.
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is a Plains Cree band that owns and manages a total of 35,123 acres in urban and rural lands. These lands are used for community living, agriculture, recreation and business.
As a community, people of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation are proud of their Cree language, culture and heritage. Veterans from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation have played a significant role in how the community has developed and are honoured for their ongoing service and contributions.