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Cision Canada
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Flying Dust First Nation and Canada reach settlement agreement Français
FLYING DUST FIRST NATION, TREATY 6 TERRITORY, SK, July 25, 2025 /CNW/ - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Flying Dust First Nation Today, Chief Tyson Bear of Flying Dust First Nation and the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced a settlement agreement to resolve a land-related claim between Canada and the First Nation. Canada will provide more than $55 million in compensation to the Flying Dust First Nation for the improper transfer of 214.81 acres of treaty land in 1932 to the Canadian Pacific Railway which denied the First Nation its use for generations. Since then, about 200.8 acres have been returned, including two pieces of land held by Canada for a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment. The RCMP and the First Nation signed a lease, and on November 7, 2024, the land was formally transferred back to reserve status. The remaining land, once owned by the railway company, was remediated through cooperation between Canada, the Canadian National Railway (successor to the Canadian Pacific Railway) and the community. As part of the agreement, the First Nation may also add nearly 14 acres to its reserve through Canada's Additions to Reserve process. The Flying Dust First Nation has always recognized the Railway lands as reserve land. The story of how it it was expropriated in the early 1930s is part of the oral history of leadership. The story of the land has been passed down the years to ensure the people didn't forget. From Chief to Chief, from Council to Council, the Flying Dust First Nation always committed to have the railway lands returned home. A plan was made in 1992 when Chief Richard Gladue placed a caveat on the lands and launched the lawsuit. In the 30 years that followed, every Chief and Council joined the team and pushed the file forward. The most recent leadership team, Chief Tyson Bear, Council Calvin Bear, Marie Gladue, Nick Derocher, Charmaine Mirasty, were the ones who got to see the claim to its fruition. The vision of reacquiring the Railway Lands has always been seen as a certainty. As such, plans for development of the property has been ongoing for almost 20 years. Flying Dust has always had a vision of what the land could be and what it would mean for the people of Flying Dust, Meadow Lake and the surrounding communities. Settlements like this provide funding that First Nations can use to buy land and create new opportunities for their communities and economies. Settling specific claims is one way Canada is working to rebuild trust and strengthen its relationships with First Nations. By providing fair compensation when promises haven't been kept, Canada is taking responsibility for the past and working toward a more respectful future. These efforts are guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Quotes "This settlement is a step toward reconciliation. A good example of Canada righting the wrongs made so many years ago, proving that this government is moving in the right direction in true Nation to Nation relationship building. The Railway Claim settlement opens the doors for Flying Dust and paves the way for economic prosperity and ensures the financial well-being of Flying Dust and generations to come." Tyson Bear Chief of Flying Dust First Nation "In order to build a better, more equitable future, we need to work together. The resolution of this claim marks a meaningful step forward in Canada's relationship with the people of Flying Dust First Nation. This long-overdue compensation recognizes past wrongs and supports the Nation's efforts to create lasting opportunities for future generations." The Honourable Rebecca Alty Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations "This long overdue settlement is about respect, recognition, and reconciliation, and about building a renewed partnership between Flying Dust First Nation and Canada. Flying Dust First Nation never stopped fighting to see this land returned, and I want to congratulate Chief Tyson Bear and his community for their perseverance and leadership in addressing this historic wrong." Buckley Belanger Secretary of State (Rural Development) Quick facts Flying Dust First Nation is a Cree reserve located in northwestern Saskatchewan, located adjacent to the city of Meadow Lake. With 2674 members (646 living on-reserve and 2028 living off-reserve) the community has developed a reputation as a strong, progressive community. Flying Dust First Nation adhered to Treaty 6, which was signed by Crown representatives and Cree, Assiniboine, and Ojibwe leaders on August 23, 1876 at Fort Carleton, Saskatchewan, and on September 9, 1876 at Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan. The Treaty boundaries extend across central portions of present-day Albert and Saskatchewan. Railway construction began in 1930. The line was fully operational by 1932. Over time, the railway lands included a passenger station, up to eight grain elevators, two fuel depots, a stockyard, creamery, fish plant and planer mill. In the 1970s, CPR started to sell some of the commercial lots. In 1978, Canada purchased two of the lots to build an RCMP detachment. CN purchased the remaining lots in 2006. By 2009, all railway operations had stopped. The tracks were removed in 2014. Starting in 2011, Canada began working with Flying Dust and CN to remediate the land so that it could be transferred back to reserve status. Specific claims deal with past wrongs against First Nations. These claims (made by First Nations against the Government of Canada) relate to the administration of land and other First Nation assets and to the fulfilment of historic treaties and other agreements. Claims are addressed through an alternative dispute-resolution process under the Specific Claims Policy, and, since 2009, the Specific Claims Tribunal Act. Over the past five years (April 1, 2020 to May 31, 2025), 229 claims have been resolved for nearly $15.1 billion in compensation. Flying Dust First Nation Specific Claims Stay connected Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada: SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
CBC
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Deep Rooted doc sheds light on mental health struggles in agriculture
First-generation Sask. rancher Kole Norman says he went through some dark times dealing with the stresses of the job and had trouble finding help. "I was definitely very suicidal.… I just felt really helpless," he said. "I'd held off on reaching out. I didn't want to seem weak or fragile. When I did end up reaching out, it just felt like that help that I thought was there wasn't actually immediate, like I had hoped it was." Norman is one of several producers sharing their struggles in a Canadian documentary screening in Saskatoon this week. Saskatoon's Broadway Theatre is hosting a special screening of Deep Rooted, a 33-minute documentary examining the mental health of agricultural producers in Canada, on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CST. Entry is by donation. The film features four Canadian farmers and ranchers, along with several mental health experts. After the credits roll, a panel of specialists will be there to talk about the themes and field the audience's questions. Norman, who is from Flying Dust First Nation, is one of the panellists. Being new to the industry, Norman said he didn't feel in control, as one bad storm or no rain for a few months would completely change the outlook on his operation. "Growing up in a small town, and on a reserve, and in a farming community, you want to seem like you're a big, strong, tough guy and it's not an easy thing to talk about," Norman said. "There's a big learning curve and I didn't feel like there were a lot of people that I could just call up and ask questions of. I just felt a lot of stress and weight on my shoulders." Norman said one of the hardest parts was that he had responsibilities even on his worst days. "Cows still need to get fed, and stuff still needs to happen. All those lives are relying on you, so it's not like you can just turn off that side of things." Norman said he is in a better place now and hopes the film he took part in can help people who are dealing with the same problems. "In all cases, it's the first time that they're talking about their issues in that public space, so it's an incredibly powerful documentary," said Merle Massie, the executive director of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, a mental health advocacy group that helped the filmmakers find farmers and ranchers to speak with. "This isn't necessarily a story of hope. It's a story of truth, and that really helps to crack the audience open." According to Massie, the industry has a suicide rate between 20 and 30 per cent higher than the rest of the population. She said a culture of stigma and shame can pervade the lives of people in rural settings. "I want to reassure people that it is an everyday, every person issue," Massie said. "It is no different than reaching out for help if you have diabetes, or you broke your arm, or you have an ongoing physical illness in your body. Reaching out for help makes you stronger. It helps give you the strength and the tools to build your life the way that you want to build it." Other panellists at the screening include Lesley Kelly, a Saskatchewan farmer and co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, and Dr. Michelle Pavloff, the director of rural health research at SaskPolytech.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Seeing people that look like us': Amazing Race Canada features most Indigenous contestants in show's history
Best friends and roommates, Rebecca Merasty and Rebecca Watt, are competing on Season 11 of the Amazing Race Canada. The Amazing Race Canada is making history this season with the highest number of Indigenous contestants the show has ever seen. Season 11 premieres Tuesday night with six Indigenous participants — including Rebecca Merasty, from Saskatchewan's Flying Dust First Nation. Merasty is teamed up with her best friend and roommate, Rebecca Watt, who is from the Pehdzeh Kí First Nation in the Northwest Territories. 'We didn't grow up seeing people that look like us, other than Pocahontas ... which obviously isn't the greatest representation,' Merasty told CTV News from Vancouver, where she now lives. Merasty said she was first contacted by a casting producer. A few weeks later, Watt was also individually contacted. 'They had no idea we were besties and roommates,' Merasty said, taking the two separate messages as a sign. 'We were just like, 'Okay, I guess we're doing this. This is creator telling us that it is time for us to go on The Amazing Race.'' Now known as 'The Rebeccas,' the duo said representation was a driving force behind joining the race. 'That was such a big motivating factor for us. You know, having those little eyes look up at us and be like, 'Hey, they kind of look like us. We can do that, too!' And just like encouraging youth to really go for it, go for what they want,' Merasty said. Teams are competing for two 2025 Chevrolet Blazers, a trip around the world, and a $250,000 cash prize. The new season kicks off in Edmonton at Commonwealth Stadium.
CTV News
30-06-2025
- CTV News
SIRT investigating after RCMP officer shoots Flying Dust First Nation man
The SiRT logo is seen in an undated file photo. Saskatchewan's civilian police watchdog is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Flying Dust First Nation. The investigation stems from an incident on Sunday evening when Meadow Lake detachment officers were called to a home in the nearby First Nation with a report that a man was acting aggressively, the Saskatchewan RCMP said in a news release. According to the RCMP, the two officers arrived at the home and encountered the man with a weapon, although they didn't specify what type of weapon. Then, one of the RCMP officers shot the man, police say. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Neither officer was injured. The RCMP says it does not have an update on the man's current condition, but the man's family has been notified. Saskatchewan's Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) was called to the scene shortly after — a requirement any time someone is killed or injured by police in the line of duty. SIRT will investigate and determine if shooting the man constituted a reasonable use of force, given the circumstances. It's expected to issue a report on its findings several months after the conclusion of the investigation.
National Observer
29-05-2025
- General
- National Observer
Buffalo harvest brings tradition and lunch to northern Saskatchewan schools By Sonal Gupta News Culture Urban Indigenous Communities in Ottawa May 29th 2025 Scroll down to continue Share this article
Flying Dust First Nation teacher and students pose with the buffalo head during December's land-based learning session. Photo courtesy of Chelsa Moosehunter. On a frigid prairie day, students from northern Saskatchewan gathered outside — not for recess, but for a lesson. Dressed in layers against the December wind, they stood around a freshly harvested buffalo. There was no textbook. Instead, knives were passed between mittened hands, as they learned to skin, gut, and cut the meat for their own school lunches. The buffalo harvest project, led by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and its member First Nations, is changing how a generation thinks about food, tradition and self-sufficiency. 'It's a food source, so there's this nutritional value, but it's so much more than that,' said Tammy Shakotko, a community nutritionist with Meadow Lake council. 'The real value is cultural — the social and emotional connection students form with the process, the land and each other.' Buffalo once roamed the northern Saskatchewan plains in dizzying numbers, supporting Indigenous communities for generations. Colonial expansion and overhunting in the late 1800s led to the deliberate near-extinction of the herds, and disrupting traditional ways of life, food security and cultural practices. A few buffalo were brought back to community land in 2019. The herd now numbers over 130 — enough to harvest from in a miniaturized version of the feasts of a previous generation.
