Pelican Lake First Nation and City of Saskatoon sign new urban reserve agreements

Dignitaries and guests at the recent signing of urban reserve agreements between Pelican Lake First Nation and the City of Saskatoon. (Submitted photos)

Posted By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski December 19, 2022

City of Saskatoon news release Dec. 14, 2022

The City of Saskatoon and Pelican Lake First Nation have cleared a path to designate the First Nation’s land at 1944 St. George Avenue  in Saskatoon — the site of Adam’s Lumber — as an urban reserve.

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark and Pelican Lake First Nation Chief Peter Bill, along with the Council of Pelican Lake First Nation, and Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Chair, Jyotsna (Jo) Custead, signed urban reserve agreements during a special signing ceremony on Dec. 14.

“This exciting purchase of the historic Adams Lumber by Pelican Lake First Nation will create a new chapter for this business, the city and the province,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “I have been impressed with the vision that Chief Bill and his Council have for creating opportunity in the lumber and building industry. I’m grateful that they have chosen to invest here in Saskatoon. The continued establishment of Urban Reserves in our city helps build opportunity for everyone into the future.”

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 21, 2022, City Council approved the Municipal Services and Compatibility Agreement negotiated with Pelican Lake First Nation. The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners also approved the Police Services Agreement at their regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 17, 2022. These agreements fulfill the municipal requirements for urban reserve designation.

The agreements address:

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

“This is a significant achievement for Pelican Lake First Nation. It is an honour to work with the City of Saskatoon. They have opened their arms to us and worked with us,” says Chief Peter Bill.

As part of the signing ceremony, through a special live-stream feed, the Pelican Lake First Nation proudly revealed and lit the Adams Lumber sign that originally graced the site, and is highly visible from the Idylwyld Drive Freeway. The iconic sign has been beautifully restored to its original state.

Fr. Graham Hill, CSsR, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Saskatoon attended the celebration, representing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. In a video message recorded for the signing ceremony, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen also sent words of blessing and congratulations.

“This will definitely establish and expand relationships and future possibilities for Band members and others, who will benefit from this new venture and opportunity with the city of Saskatoon,” says Bishop Hagemoen.

Decisions on reserve designation are made by the federal government. Once the property is designated as a reserve, it will become the ninth 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 Pelican Lake First Nation

Pelican Lake First Nation is a member of the Agency Chiefs Tribal Council and a signatory of Treaty No. 6, whose home reserve is located on Chitek Lake, SK,  approximately 270 km northwest of Saskatoon. Approximately 1,277 members reside on the home reserve and 416 members live in other communities throughout the province.

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