The City and Kahkewistahaw [kak-uh-WISH’-tuh-how] First Nation have cleared a path to designate the First Nation’s land at 1215 Claypool Drive as an urban reserve.

Mayor Charlie Clark and Chief Evan Taypotat, along with the Council of Kahkewistahaw First Nation, and Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Chair, Darlene Brander, today signed urban reserve agreements during a special signing ceremony.

“Creating a new urban reserve in Saskatoon is a sign of strength for our city,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “We can be proud as a community that the Kahkewistahaw First Nation saw opportunity in Saskatoon for a partnership and committed to work with the City to spur investment and opportunity. Urban reserves forge new relationships and stimulate growth, and I would like to thank the Chief and Council for advancing this in Saskatoon.”

At its regularly scheduled meeting on September 30, 2019, City Council approved the Municipal Services and Compatibility Agreement negotiated with Kahkewistahaw First Nation. The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners also approved the Police Services Agreement at their regularly scheduled meeting on October 17, 2019. These agreements fulfill the municipal requirements for urban reserve designation.

The agreements address:

• Municipal and police services the City will provide;
• service fees Kahkewistahaw First Nation will pay the City in lieu of property taxes; and,
• compatible land-use and development standards.

“Chief and Council of the Kahkewistahaw First Nation represent approximately 2,100 Cree band members. We are pleased to come to an agreement with the City of Saskatoon on a proposed Municipal Service Agreement (MSA). We are appreciative that this MSA was approved unanimously by the Saskatoon City Council. This demonstrates that they are in favor of Kahkewistahaw’s proposed land development in the Hampton Village Business Park. We intend to name this property Kahkewistahaw Eagles Landing,” says Kahkewistahaw First Nation Chief Evan B.G. Taypotat.

“We firmly believe that economic development is where Kahkewistahaw’s sovereignty lies. If we can make jobs, we employ our people. If we employ our people, they make money. If a person has money for their family, they have opportunity. If they have opportunity, then we leave the affect of residential school in the past. That is the vision and direction we will proceed with Kahkewistahaw Eagles Landing. We are excited that there will be numerous possibilities for all the people who call Saskatoon home. Together, we will make Saskatoon the greatest city in Canada to live in.”

Decisions on reserve designation are made by the federal government. Once the property is designated as a reserve, it will become the eighth 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 Kahkewistahaw First Nation
Kahkewistahaw First Nation is a member of the Yorkton Tribal Council whose home reserve is located approximately 15 kilometres north of Broadview, Saskatchewan. A signatory of Treaty No. 4, Kahkewistahaw First Nation has 2,020 members. Approximately 670 members reside on the home reserve and 1,350 members live in other communities throughout the province.