From left: City Manager Randy Patrick, Mayor David GIllan, Chief Lorie Whitecalf and Sweetgrass Councillors Trina Albert, Donovan Arcand, Hazen Paskimin, Lamarr Oksasikewiyin, Isaac Thomas and Kelsey Pooyak sign the agreement. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Service Agreement

Sweetgrass F.N. and N.B. sign ‘historic’ Urban Reserve Services Agreement

Sep 28, 2024 | 11:06 AM

As members of Sweetgrass First Nation and the City of North Battleford leadership sat at a table to sign an historic Urban Reserve Services Agreement, gasps and sighs from attendees could be heard. Though the excitement was palpable at witnessing an event 14 years in the making, there was something more spiritual that moved the audience to stunned awe.

An eagle soared overhead which many considered a blessing the proceedings.

“We’re here today to celebrate and it happens to be on a week where we’re acknowledging our residential school survivors as well,” said Chief Lorie Whitecalf.

North Battleford Mayor David GIllan and Chief Lorie Whitecalf of Sweetgrass First Nation celebrate the signing of the long awaited urban reserve agreement on Sept. 27. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“Back in the day when Chief Wayne Standinghorn purchased this land, he had a vision for Sweetgrass,” she said of the late chief who purchased a parcel

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that is currently a grass field on south Railway Ave and hugs HWY 16.

“He was raised and born in the time when you needed a permit to come to the City of North Battleford. You needed a permit to leave the reserve, so we’ve come a long way since then.”

The land was purchased by Sweetgrass Investments Ltd., and Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) trustees and once complete, the First Nation will no longer just be consumers in the local economy but taking an active role in contributing to it as they are now a step closer to getting reserve status for the land. As a result, Sweetgrass, like other First Nations with urban reserve agreements already in place with the city,can now begin to plan for the eventual business development of the land.

“Some work was done – environmental work – there was work done on this parcel to increase the grade, she said, referring to the need for the area to be cleaned up as a gas station once stood nearby.

Neil Sasakamoose speaks to councillors and attendees during the signing of the long awaited urban reserve agreement on Sept. 27. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Whitecalf said as they were progressing with the agreement, they worked with three different mayors and even more lawyers, but they aren’t focusing on the past.

“We can’t concentrate on the history. We have to concentrate on progress and the future,” she said.

According to Mayor David Gillan, one of the signatories, it was an auspicious time to hold the signing days ahead of the National Day for Truth andReconciliation. Quoting Whitecalf, he said it wasn’t about the past. The day was about looking ahead to the future.

“We’re standing on the future today,” he said.

“The investment that Sweetgrass has made in the City of North Battleford 14 years ago, now there’s a vision to turn it into a place of commerce, where the people of Sweetgrass will benefit for generations and generations.”

This, the mayor explained, is what reconciliation is all about.

“We must work together, work together, go forward together.”

Sweetgrass Councillors Trina Albert, Donovan Arcand, Hazen Paskimin, and Lamarr Oksasikewiyin add their signatures to the the agreement. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Chief Cody Benson of Red Pheasant Cree Nation (RPCN) called the day historic.

“It’s not easy, it’s a lot of work – we’ve been fighting the fight too and we’re starting to get our stuff off the ground and moving,” he said, referring to the RPCN’s own economic development.

“We’re always going to be here to help Sweetgrass thrive because if they thrive, we thrive. If North Battleford thrives, we all thrive,” he added, noting all nations must come together to build a “safer and happier community.”

According to a news release, in 1992, the Nation signed the Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement. They had received $6,638,656.96 so they may buy 23,914.02 acres of land – of which,17,699 acres has been acquired since that time.

When Neil Sasakamoose, CEO for the Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs was called upon, he reminisced about the moment when he was with the late Chief Standinghorn and urged him to buy the land. From there, Sasakamoose watched the progress unfold in the intervening years.

“There’s not a rush in anything, you know, timing is everything,” he said, adding there had been difficulty in developing reserve land due to a fear.

Singers lead attendees and councillors in an honour song. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordNOW Staff)

“I honestly don’t know what people are scared of. It’s so much positive development that happens.”

For the moment, it’s unknown as towhat will eventually grace the land as far as development but Whitecalf said discussions about what may eventually be built have been held for a couple of years.

Now that the papers are signed, Whitecalf said it was a relief. She said it took patience, perseverance and working collaboratively with the city to get to where they are.

“I feel honoured that we’re here and honoured that an eagle did fly and bless us.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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