WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg and Peguis First Nation have entered a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC) to establish a guiding framework to work collaboratively to develop, deliver, and assist in the implementation of a Land Acquisition Strategy.
In 2007, the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and Peguis First Nation settled the First Nation’s Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Specific Claim that includes $64 million in financial compensation to resolve the claim. The TLE settlement also includes 111,756 acres of private land to purchase on a `willing seller willing buyer’ basis. This MOC will assist Peguis in progressively creating a sustainable strategy to ensure this claim benefits the Peguis community and will continue to assist the Peguis Nation in the future, financially and economically, to build a stronger Nation and community.
“We recognize that our University is located on Treaty One land, and we are conscious and committed to our obligations because of it,” said UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy. “This collaboration will continue to build on our continued relationship with Peguis and First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples. This partnership will build capacity with our students, tap into the experience of our faculty and researchers, and together in partnership with Peguis First Nation contribute to the creation of a sustainable Land Acquisition Strategy consistent with and supportive of the Peguis Comprehensive Community Plan currently in development.”
“The TLE claim is one that was a long time coming and with this settlement we hope to benefit our community now and for generations to come,” said Peguis First Nation Chief Glenn Hudson. “This partnership will create a unique and progressive approach for purchasing land for TLE purposes that will take into consideration a number of key principles to create a sustainable plan to reach the goals of our TLE settlement.”
UWinnipeg has well-established relationships with Indigenous Elders, governments, students, faculty, practitioners, and community members. It nurtures Indigenous scholarship including teaching, research and application of skills by and for Indigenous peoples. UWinnipeg is renowned for research, scholarship, creativity and innovation and is committed to access and academic excellence.
Peguis is the largest First Nation in Manitoba, with a population of approximately 8,800 people of Ojibway and Cree descent located 190 km north of Winnipeg, Canada. Peguis First Nation has also recently settled its 1907 Illegal Surrender Specific Claim that includes $126 million in financial compensation to address the claim.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
Nathan McCorrister, Executive Director, Peguis First Nation TLE Implementation
P: 204.482.4613, E: nmccorrister@peguistle.ca
