Flood claim agreement goes to a vote

REGINA – It’s being touted as an historic day: Pasqua First Nation is the last of six reserves in the Qu’Appelle Valley to settle a flood claim with the federal government.

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) floods Pasqua land in order to manage the water levels and water quality of Pasqua and Echo lakes.

“I was chief back in 1986 when the original claim was launched,” said band councillor and former chief, Lindsay Cyr.

After nearly three decades, an agreement has finally been drafted.

Elaine Chicoose was chief until 2011 and had worked on the negotiations for over ten years.

“You don’t know how hard it was at times, all the negotiations, all the meetings until eleven o’clock ,” she said. “It’s a humbling day.”

The agreement was initialed Wednesday morning at Asham’s beach on Pasqua Lake following a traditional pipe ceremony.

Current Chief Todd Peigan explained the history of the claim: “In 1942, the PFRA, Prairie Farmers Rehabilitation Administration built Echo Lake dam and when they operated Echo Lake dam, it flooded approximately 400 acres of Pasqua land. “

The band alleged the PFRA didn’t have the proper authorization to flood their land, something the Agriculture Canada branch continues to do today. Negotiations began in 2000. Mike Rideout is the eighth negotiator on the file.

“We needed to do a survey which took over four years to complete and this survey will establish the designated area for the easement for the flooding,” he said.

The compensation reached in the settlement is $20.6 million – for past, present and future use of the First Nations land by the federal government, as well as the province. The federal government grants the province use of the dams to control the water levels of Pasqua and Echo Lakes by allowing water to run through the flood plain that’s owned by Pasqua First Nation. If the agreement is ratified, tourists and cottage owners can rely on a consistent water level.

“I think the First Nation will approve the deal, for the simple reason, we’re not surrendering land. For seventy years, seventy-one years the government has been using our land illegally. Now they’re saying, Pasqua, can we use your land?” said Peigan.

Of course, it’s not just about respect. Peigan says after a band membership payout of between $2000 and $5000 to its 1963 members, about $16 million will be left to be held in trust with Peace Hills Trust. Four percent of the interest will be used for education and housing programs on the reserve. Any interest made over four percent will be reinvested.

“The settlement is not going to solve all our problems. It’s going to provide some relief,” Peigan said, adding there are currently 92 applications for housing on the reserve.

The agreement will now go to the First Nation members for a vote. They have 72 days to approve it.