The Saskatchewan government says approximately 147 acres of Crown Minerals rights will be transferred to Cowessess First Nation.

The province says the transfer is under the Cowessess Treaty Land Entitlement Settlement Agreement.

The minister responsible for First Nations, Metis relations and Northern Affairs, Don McMorris, says the treaty land entitlement process is in place to ensure the federal and provincial governments meet Treaty obligations.

The Treaty Land Entitlement Agreements provide First Nations with entitlement monies to purchase land anywhere in the province on a “willing buyer-willing seller” basis and add it to their reserves.

The province says successful Treaty Land Entitlement agreements support community growth between First Nations, businesses and neighboring communities and create economic development in the mining, oil and gas, business and agriculture sectors.

Since 1992, the provincial and federal governments have committed 687 million dollars for Treaty Land Entitlement settlements in Saskatchewan.

To date, about 886 thousand acres have been transferred, with 1.48 million acres outstanding.

Of the amount transferred to reserve, more than 630 thousand acres of undisposed Crown minerals were transferred at no cost.

Saskatchewan has transferred more acres to reserve status under Treaty Land entitlements than any other province in Canada.