Council directs Administration to proceed with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation DEED partnership negotiations

City Council has directed Administration to start negotiations with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation to explore a strategic partnership toward the development of the Downtown Event and Entertainment District.

Council provided the direction at its June 24 Regular Business City Council meeting, following consideration of a report outlining the opportunity. Council’s decision does not approve a final agreement. It authorizes Administration to begin direct negotiations toward a potential development partnership.

“Great cities are built through strong partnerships and a willingness to think differently about the future. By authorizing these discussions, Council is creating the opportunity to explore a unique partnership with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and what that partnership could mean for both communities,” says Mayor Cynthia Block.

“This is an important first step, not a final decision. The goal of these discussions is to determine whether there is a path forward that delivers mutual benefit, creates new opportunities, and reflects the shared ambitions of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon.”

“We are encouraged that Saskatoon City Council has accepted the Administration report and supported beginning discussions with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation regarding a potential partnership in the Downtown Event and Entertainment District,” says Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe. “This is an important first step, but it is still an early step. There is significant work ahead, and any potential agreement will need to be carefully considered and approved by both Councils.”

“Muskeg Lake has a long-standing and meaningful relationship with the City of Saskatoon. In 1988, our Nation established Asimakaniseekan Askiy, which translates to ‘Soldiers’ Land,’ as Canada’s first commercial urban reserve. Through strong relationships with the business sector, the urban reserve is now home to approximately 50 businesses and supports more than 750 jobs. It has added significant value to Saskatoon through employment, business activity and the service fees paid to the City under the urban reserve’s municipal services agreement. It is also home to Lakeside Medical Centre, the largest non-hospital medical facility in Saskatchewan.

We are optimistic about what this opportunity could mean for our citizens and for the revitalization of downtown Saskatoon. At the same time, we want to manage expectations. These discussions are only beginning, and our priority will be ensuring that any potential partnership is responsible, sustainable and protects the long-term interests of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.”

“The seven Chiefs of the Saskatoon Tribal Council support this proposal, and the City is ready to move into the next stage of discussions,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services. “In our early conversations we have identified some potential opportunities that could take this beyond simply the development of the entertainment and hospitality piece of the District but could include an operation partnership for the convention centre and an event centre. The additional possibility of looking at establishing these lands as a new urban reserve is also something that could be on the table.”

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 reflects practical leadership in reconciliation and supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The negotiations also respond to earlier Council 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.”

As next steps, Administration will begin formal negotiations with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation representatives and continue to refine the potential partnership terms. Once negotiations have advanced to the point where key terms are sufficiently defined, Administration will report back to City Council with details of the proposed partnership and any recommendations required to support implementation.

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

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