City Administration seeks Council approval to begin DEED partnership talks with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation

The City Administration will request Council approval to begin negotiations with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation representatives and explore a strategic partnership toward the development of the Downtown Event and Entertainment District. Details are in a report to be presented at the June 24 Regular Business City Council meeting. 

The recommendation before Council is not to approve a final agreement. It is to authorize Administration to enter direct negotiations toward a potential development partnership.

“The seven Chiefs of the Saskatoon Tribal Council support this proposal to enter negotiations and the City is ready to talk more,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services. “Early discussions have identified opportunities that could extend beyond entertainment and hospitality development to also include an operating partnership for the new convention centre and event centre, and finally, the lands for these venues potentially established as new urban reserves within Saskatoon.”

With eight urban reserves, plus three at various stages of the approval process and two in the beginning stages, Saskatoon has long been recognized as a national leader in urban reserve creation and partnership-based economic development with First Nations. Saskatoon is also home to Canada’s first commercial urban reserve, established by Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in 1988.

Willems says this approach demonstrates practical leadership in reconciliation and supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Discussions such as these also are a response to Council’s earlier direction to explore Indigenous placemaking and partnership opportunities as part of the District’s development.

“By creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous ownership, economic development, operations, employment, career development, cultural expression, and Indigenous placemaking and placekeeping, the District can move beyond symbolic recognition and embed reconciliation directly into one of Saskatoon’s most significant city-building initiatives.”

Subject to Council approval, the negotiation work is anticipated to include:
• defining the proposed partnership structure; 
• roles and responsibilities;
• governance considerations;
• land and development arrangements; 
• operating opportunities; and,
• any financial or legal implications requiring future approval.

Once negotiations have progressed to the point where the key terms are sufficiently defined, the Administration would report back to City Council with the details of the proposed partnership and any recommendations required to advance implementation. 

All substantive financial commitments, land disposition, or governance arrangements will be subject to future City Council approval. Any future agreement, land arrangement, governance structure, financial commitment or legal agreement would also be subject to Muskeg Lake Cree Nation’s own governance and approval processes. 

The Administration would also report back to City Council every two months to update City Council on the progress of negotiations.