From Dream to Reality: The Story of Treaty Land Entitlement

Key Concept

To date, nearly 800,000 acres of land have gained reserve status as a result of agreements with First Nations based on The Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement. The process continues today with the Framework Agreement providing the basis for the resolution of the treaty land debt owed to other First Nations in Saskatchewan.

This concept is best illustrated with the Teacher Background Information, and at points 15:02 to 17:00 in Part Four of the From Dream to Reality video.

Rationale
This lesson is designed to have students consolidate the legal, economic, and moral reasons for fulfilling Treaty Land Entitlement.

Learning Objectives
Knowledge

• Students will synthesize the relationship between worldview and the approach to settling Treaty Land Entitlement issues in Canada.
• Students will synthesize the process used to settle Treaty Land Entitlement.

Values

• Students will develop empathy for all persons based upon an understanding of human needs.
• Students will appreciate the diversity of stakeholder perspectives in relation to Treaty Land Entitlement.

Skills

• Students will interpret and analyze the diversity of positions with respect to Treaty Land Entitlement.
• Students will justify their position toward Treaty Land Entitlement and be prepared to demonstrate rational support.

Teacher's Background Information
As of October 1, 2009, 759,191 acres have attained reserve status in Saskatchewan through the Treaty Land Entitlement process. As a result of the land attaining reserve status, 26 Entitlement First Nations have obtained their Shortfall Acres.

The Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement specifies that land transfers must occur on a “Willing Buyer, Willing Seller” basis. This has led to progress in the southern part of the province where most land is privately held. In northern Saskatchewan, much of the land is Crown-owned with occupant interests. This has made the Treaty Land Entitlement process more challenging. In order to facilitate the process and to ensure that occupant interests are satisfied, the Province initiated mediation assistance to Entitlement First Nations in 1995. To date, mediation has been successful in bringing parties together to discuss interests, issues and concerns. It has also been successful in aiding three Entitlement First Nations to gain the occupant/third party consents required to purchase Crown land. Two of the Crown land acquisitions enabled the First Nations to obtain their Shortfall Acres. The Province is hopeful that this forum for discussion will contribute to resolution of issues and the establishment of harmonious relations between First Nations and their neighbouring communities.

Procedure
1. Using the Teacher’s Background Information, discuss with students the progress that has been made since the signing of The Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement. Teachers may wish to have students view Treaty Land Entitlement: The English River Story to introduce one particular TLE success story.

2. Explain to students that urban reserves are created primarily due to the honouring of Treaty Land Entitlements. Divide the class into groups for a research activity. Given their knowledge of Treaty Land Entitlement, key research questions for this activity should include:

• • What economic benefits have been realized by fulfilling Treaty Land Entitlement?
• • What social benefits have been realized by fulfilling Treaty Land Entitlement?

3. As an alternate or additional activity, students could research a specific Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement made with a First Nation under the Framework Agreement that has taken place in your area. Summarize its terms and examine the surrounding community discussion.

4. VIDEO ACTIVITY - Have students view Part Four of From Dream to Reality. Have students note the significance of the signing ceremony to each of the interested parties.
KEY QUESTION: Do you think the agreement reached was successful in meeting the needs of all the parties involved?

5. Explain the significance of circles in Aboriginal tradition, then as a comprehensive review of Treaty Land Entitlement, assign Treaty Land Entitlement Time Circles to illustrate the process of Treaty Land Entitlement.