Saskatchewan approves mineral rights for three First Nations

Saskatchewan has approved handing more Crown mineral rights to the federal government for three First Nations, the province announced Oct. 1.

The approvals back Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) agreements with Pasqua First Nation, Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation and Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.

For Ahtahkakoop, the release lists about 194.25 hectares (480 acres). It flags this as the nation’s first transfer under its 2022 agreement.

Carry the Kettle will receive another 65.15 hectares (161 acres), bringing its approved total to about 13,440 hectares (33,210 acres). Pasqua has another 64.75 hectares (160 acres) approved, bringing its total to about 1,841 hectares (4,549 acres).

Eric Schmalz, the minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, said the transfers support land entitlement and the creation of reserve land. He said the province will keep working with First Nations and Canada to move the agreements forward.

The release says the TLE process involves Saskatchewan, Canada and First Nations that never received all the reserve land owed to them under Treaty. Under the agreements, a First Nation can acquire land, which can then become reserve through the reserve creation process.

As of September 2026, roughly 900,970 acres have been added to reserve across Saskatchewan through TLE agreements, the release states.

The release does not say when the approved rights will be transferred to Canada or when the land will gain reserve status.