Recently, the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and the Government of Canada announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding to help guide their work to promote lasting reconciliation and strengthen the nation-tonation relationship based on Meadow Lake First Nations’ priorities. Under the co-developed memorandum, the parties will explore new ways to advance the Meadow Lake First Nations’ inherent right to self-determination. The goal is to work together toward negotiated agreements focused on restoring First Nation control over matters affecting their communities in key areas, such as governance, the management of lands and resources and matters related to the administration of justice in their communities such as policing and restorative justice.

“As authorized representatives of the nations we serve, MLTC is pleased to be signing a memorandum of understanding on advancing reconciliation on two important matters for our First Nations; one is to affirm and strengthen the Meadow Lake First Nation’s nation-to-nation relationship and government-to-government relationship with Canada, and, secondly, to advance reconciliation on justice and lands and resources,” stated MLTC Cree vice-chief Richard Derocher. This was echoed by MLTC Dene vice-chief Lawrence McIntyre. “We are fully engaged participants in the governance negotiations and are happy to sign an MOU that will assist in the areas we need, control of our lands and resources that will create thriving economies and healthy people,” McIntyre said.

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council represents nine First Nations in these discussions across three treaty areas in northwestern Saskatchewan with a total population of more than 17,700 members. The Meadow Lake First Nations who have come together to pursue these discussions with Canada include Birch Narrows First Nation, Buffalo River Dene Nation, Canoe Lake Cree First Nation, Clearwater River Dene, English River First Nation, Flying Dust First Nation, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation and Waterhen Lake First Nation. The Government of Canada is working with Indigenous partners on shared solutions to address their unique priorities, recognize and implement their inherent rights and support their visions of self-determination and a better future for their communities.

“This memorandum of understanding sets the stage for collaborative work to advance Meadow Lake First Nations’ priorities for greater autonomy and a renewed First Nation-Crown relationship,” noted Gary Anandasangaree, federal minister of Crown–Indigenous relations. “This is an opportunity to work together on practical measures to implement the First Nations’ inherent right to self-government and support their collective vision of a better future for their communities.”