On the 27th Anniversary of the signing of the Manitoba Framework Agreement (MFA) on Treaty Land Entitlement (May 29, 1997), the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee (TLEC) of Manitoba congratulates the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (SCN) and the Town of Swan River on signing their third government-to-government services agreement.
On Monday May 27, 2024, the SCN’s Chief Nelson Genaille and Council signed a Municipal Development and Services Agreement (MDSA) with the Town of Swan River’s Mayor Lance Jacobson and Council in the SCN’s Governance Building.
This MDSA is for the SCN’s third parcel of land (8.6 acres) that was purchased by SCN under its TLE Agreement.
SCN currently has two (2) urban Reserves in Swan River which hosts the Club Sapp Gaming Centre and the Petro Canada Gas and Convenience Store. These two parcels were also earlier purchased, or bought, by SCN under its 1998 TLE agreement and have MDSAs in place.
Under the MFA’s TLE Reserve creation process, when a First Nation buys land in an urban centre, like a town or city, and if they require continued services provided by that town or city, the First Nation negotiates the terms and conditions with the municipal government. This is done because after the parcel becomes Reserve, the municipal government no longer has jurisdiction over that parcel of land.
Once negotiations are complete, they then sign an MDSA, which the Government of Canada requires if the First Nation requests that urban parcel of land be set apart as Reserve under its TLE agreement.
Another economic development initiative is planned by SCN for this parcel of land.
Once again, congratulations to the SCN and the Town of Swan River!
