First Nations, municipalities join forces to speed creation of urban reserves

A group representing municipalities in Manitoba has teamed up with First Nation groups, hoping to speed up the process of creating urban reserves in the province.

"We recognize the economic benefits that are generated on urban reserves and we're hoping that by joining forces we can show the province and the federal government that we're all willing to move forward together," said Doug Dobrowolski, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM).

The AMM announced Tuesday that they've partnered with the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba (TRCM) and the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee of Manitoba (TLEC). The agreement was signed at the AMM annual assembly taking place in Winnipeg.

Dobrowolski called the process for creating urban reserves complex and slow-moving, involving several levels of government. He hopes the agreement will improve communication between all groups and streamline the process.

Sapotaweyak Cree Nation chief Nelson Genaille is the president of the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee of Manitoba. When Sapotaweyak established their urban reserve in the western Manitoba town of Swan River, the involvement of the town council is believed to have made the negotiations go more smoothly.

Chief Genaile also calls the partnership agreement timely, given the recent prolonged legal battle to create an urban reserve at Kapyong Barracks in the south end of Winnipeg.