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It's encouraging to see young professionals learning to manage the complexities of Canada's additions-to-reserve policy. And to join the cause promoting a new, more timely approach.

Take Sara Lehman for example. This Laurentian University graduate (Masters in Fisheries Ecology) is the Lands Director at Wahnapitae First Nation, just east of Sudbury, Ontario.

This small community of about 790 members is working through a land claim involving 20,000 acres of its traditional land. Much of it is now used for mining and forestry operations.

Sara says the plan is to reclaim governance over the land to provide additional housing and to manage the land sustainably so members can enjoy it for future generations.

She spoke with host Richard Perry at a recent FNLMRC event in Toronto.

LINKS:

Wahnapitae First Nation

FNLMRC website

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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In our continuing series on Canada's broken Additions-to-Reserve (ATR) policy, we speak with Desmond Peters, Lands Manager at Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation in British Columbia.

The path to reclaiming land governance isn't easy, but Peters believes the process can be improved to better positions First Nations for success. Reform is drastically needed so Nations can expand their land bases – for reasons that are unique to each community.

As a former Chief and Band Councillor, he brings a much-respected voice to our continuing discussions on fixing Additions-to-Reserve.

LINKS:

Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation website

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Land sovereignty. What does it mean to a First Nation? How can it be achieved?

Chief Gerry Duquette Jr. leads his community of Dokis First Nation in Ontario. He has hands-on experience with Canada's flawed Additions-to-Reserve policy. There's a huge backlog of communities that have to get federal approval before adding lands to their reserves – even tiny parcels that could be added in hours, or even days – not decades as is often the case.

Chief Duquette sat down with host Richard Perry to share his concerns about the current ATR process and how it can be improved to the benefit of Nations.

LINKS:

Dokis First Nation

First Nation Lands Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Phil Goulais has strong opinions about the need to radically redesign Canada's flawed Additions-to-Reserve policy.

He knows the process well. Goulais is a respected former chief of Nipping First Nation, Grand Chief of the Robinson-Huron Territory and former Indian Commissioner of Ontario.

He has seen first-hand how Nations are hindered, even blocked from adding critical new land to their reserves – land needed for economic growth, new housing, cultural protection and many other kinds of development.

He spoke with host Richard Perry about his connection to the land and how the federal ATR policy is failing First Nations communities.

LINKS:

Nippissing First Nation

First Nation Lands Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Grand Chief Willie Charlie of Sta'ailes First Nation says a much faster Additions-to-Reserve process will help communities prosper.

He has seen the cost of long delays. Politicians have always promised to make ATRs go faster, but he says it's the bureaucracy at different levels that ruins the process.

He spoke recently with host Richard Perry. We apologize that the sound quality is less than optimal but the conversation is a definite must-listen!

LINKS:

Sts'ailes First Nation

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Join us in our continuing series on Canada's Additions-to-Reserve policy and how it's failing our First Nations communities.

If you’re unfamiliar with Additions to reserve - or ATR - it’s the process through which Canada allows land to be added to a First Nation’s reserve. But it’s often a long, frustrating, and inefficient journey.

In this episode with Melissa MacDonald of Membertou (NS) we’ll explore why ATRs matter to First Nations, the opportunities they bring, and the challenges posed by a policy that Canada itself has acknowledged as broken.

Please comment, provide a rating and share with your personal networks!

LINKS:

Membertou

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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Joseph Tootoosis is a young policy analyst with a special interest in sovereignty, land restitution and redress. He also sees the need for a drastic overhaul in Canada's Additions-to-Reserve policy, a complicated process that hurts First Nations trying to add to their reserve land base.

Why do ATRs matter to First Nations? What opportunities are Bands missing out on? How does adding land relate to Indigenous sovereignty?

We address those questions in this podcast episode. Joseph and host Richard Perry begin by making the connection between land and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

LINKS:

Joseph Tootoosis on Linkedin

Flying Dust First Nation

Kekwetlem First Nation

First Nation Lands Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)

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In this special series we’re diving into Canada’s Additions-to-Reserve policy — a crucial yet complex issue for First Nations communities across the country.

If you’re unfamiliar with Additions to reserve - or ATR - it’s the process through which Canada allows land to be added to a First Nation’s reserve. But it’s often a long, frustrating, and inefficient journey.

In this episode, Chief Derek Epp of Ch’íyáqtel (formerly Tzeachten First Nation) in B.C. talks about an exciting pilot project that shows the process can happen much more quickly. It's a tool that can help Nations grow socially and economically.

LINKS:

Tzeachten First Nation

First Nations Land Management Resource Centre

Additions-to-Reserve Policy Redesign (Canada)