Lands & RESOURCES
Flying Dust First Nation currently controls approximately 9,493.78 hectares
(23,462.52 acres) of reserve lands, with a land base that will only continue to grow
through its Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE). The Nation is working towards converting
purchased and settled properties into additional residential and commercial reserve lands to
further support the nation’s various business ventures. Since the first CCP in 2007, Flying
Dust has been successful in ratifying their own Land Code and are now operating under the
Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management. Flying Dust is now in a position to
act quickly on development opportunities; FDFN also processes all land-related tasks, and is
the grantor of property interests on-reserve like leases, permits, and licenses. This will help
Flying Dust create their own source revenue (OSR) to invest in the community and offset
program costs. This also allows them control over access and leasing over community land,
and increased stewardship and control over their land base, such as creating their own land
and environmental laws. Flying Dust is near completion of a land use plan and zoning bylaw to
help develop and regulate the growth taking place on FDFN lands.
Flying Dust main community is in an area with the most fertile farmland in northern
Saskatchewan. The land is comprised of flat plain sediment deposits, which is ideal for
agriculture. Due to a combination of a favorable climate and good soil, the area supports a
diversity of agricultural practices, from cattle ranching to grain farming, as well as a variety of
other land-based activities such as hunting and trapping.
Other resources include forestry, hunting, aggregate, oil, gas, outfitting, and developable urban
land holdings. Members are also a strong resource for Flying Dust and are key assets to current
and future success as a community.
Land is the basis for community development and existence. The location of the community, as well
as physical and environmental characteristics of the land provides both opportunities and constraints
for development. Certain places hold particular significance to the community and should be
protected and enhanced. Flying Dust has a draft Land Use Plan with policies and objectives in place
to manage their land base. Building on the Land Use Plan, FDFN can use tools like zoning
regulations to aid in the design of future commercial and residential development.
The main reserve, Flying Dust 105, is located on the northeastern border of the City of Meadow
Lake and is accessible via Highway 55 and has an area of approximately 3,811 hectares
(9,418 acres). The administration offices for Flying Dust First Nation as well as most of the
nation’s homes are located on the main reserve. Flying Dust First Nation has twelve other
reserves; and, land held in fee simple title. Flying Dust land portfolio is highlighted in the next two
pages Table 1 and Figure 1.
Flying Dust signed the 1992 Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Framework Agreement. The Agreement
recognizes the band’s claim to receive additional land under Treaty 6 that the band was entitled to
but did not receive when the original Reserve was surveyed. Through their ratified TLE agreement,
the community can purchase an additional 22,000 acres of land. The band is interested in acquiring
strategic lands for oil and gas development, tourism, and recreation, among other uses.
A specific claim is in effect, and near completion of settlement, for a portion of former reserve
land that borders 105 to the southeast, along Main Street in Meadow Lake. The land in question
(214.81 acres) was reserved land from 1876 until 1932. It was expropriated by CPR in 1932 for
a railway right-of-way. Most of this land has been turned back to reserve title, and is now in the
planning stages for commercial developments. CPR subdivided the land into lots and began
selling it off starting in 1944 through to 1991; first, on their own behalf, then under the name of
Marathon Realty Company Limited. This was contrary to the Indian Act which provided that
Flying Dust should receive first right of refusal, and the land should be returned to Flying Dust.
Hence, in April 1994 a specific claim was submitted for all of the lands that were subject to
expropriation, since the land was clearly no longer being used for railway purposes.
The “Railway Lands”, as they are called, from the Specific Land Claim are almost all completely
turned back to reserve title now in 2024. With this land conversion and development occurring,
the FDFN Lands Department has been identified as the guiding flagship department for
economic development opportunities, leading the nation’s current development. Because of
this, it is very important for the FDFN Lands Department to have a clear and concise plan
forward that is informed by the CCP, to ensure the department is in alignment with the goals of
the First Nation moving forward.
In 2022, Flying Dust First Nation’s Lands Department has developed a three-year strategic plan.
The purpose of this Strategic Plan (“the Plan”) for the Flying Dust Lands Department (“FDFN
Lands Department” or “Lands Department”) is to define a shared vision for the Lands
Department at Flying Dust First Nation, and a plan to ensure the community’s long-term
economic sustainability for its membership. Now the CCP can provide guidance and direction to staff, management, from the community, and allow for a shared understanding of direction, all while allowing for the autonomy and authority of the department to act as a guiding flagship for the nNation as a whole.
FDFN Lands Department has been growing along with Flying Dust’s membership. With the
recent railway land settlement and buzz surrounding commercial development of those lands, it
is of the utmost importance for the FDFN Lands Department to maintain a clear guiding strategy
toward sustainable long-term economic development. It is agreed by all Flying Dust leadership,
staff, and members, that the FDFN Lands Department plays an important role in supporting
economic development in the Greater Meadow Lake Area. To continue this important work, a
clear strategic direction for the FDFN Lands Department needed to be developed by taking
steps to identify and leverage existing strengths and strategic opportunities to maximize the
department’s future potential.
FDFN Lands Department has also worked on a Market Assessment Study, and amended its
Land Code in 2022, in order to enable future commercial development through more flexible
lease terms and financing capabilities. FDFN’s Land Code remains as the paramount
jurisdiction for administering property interests on-reserve, and will now be able to create the
conditions for an on-reserve economy that will boost economic growth in the Meadow Lake
trading region.
Next steps will include a continued Land Use Planning process, that will require community
engagement and decision-making on zoning for land use. These steps will further help FDFN to
attract prospective commercial tenants like big-box stores, develop office space, a hotel, and
other ventures that will create employment opportunities for Flying Dust, Meadow Lake, and the
surrounding First Nations of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council.
(23,462.52 acres) of reserve lands, with a land base that will only continue to grow
through its Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE). The Nation is working towards converting
purchased and settled properties into additional residential and commercial reserve lands to
further support the nation’s various business ventures. Since the first CCP in 2007, Flying
Dust has been successful in ratifying their own Land Code and are now operating under the
Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management. Flying Dust is now in a position to
act quickly on development opportunities; FDFN also processes all land-related tasks, and is
the grantor of property interests on-reserve like leases, permits, and licenses. This will help
Flying Dust create their own source revenue (OSR) to invest in the community and offset
program costs. This also allows them control over access and leasing over community land,
and increased stewardship and control over their land base, such as creating their own land
and environmental laws. Flying Dust is near completion of a land use plan and zoning bylaw to
help develop and regulate the growth taking place on FDFN lands.
Flying Dust main community is in an area with the most fertile farmland in northern
Saskatchewan. The land is comprised of flat plain sediment deposits, which is ideal for
agriculture. Due to a combination of a favorable climate and good soil, the area supports a
diversity of agricultural practices, from cattle ranching to grain farming, as well as a variety of
other land-based activities such as hunting and trapping.
Other resources include forestry, hunting, aggregate, oil, gas, outfitting, and developable urban
land holdings. Members are also a strong resource for Flying Dust and are key assets to current
and future success as a community.
Land is the basis for community development and existence. The location of the community, as well
as physical and environmental characteristics of the land provides both opportunities and constraints
for development. Certain places hold particular significance to the community and should be
protected and enhanced. Flying Dust has a draft Land Use Plan with policies and objectives in place
to manage their land base. Building on the Land Use Plan, FDFN can use tools like zoning
regulations to aid in the design of future commercial and residential development.
The main reserve, Flying Dust 105, is located on the northeastern border of the City of Meadow
Lake and is accessible via Highway 55 and has an area of approximately 3,811 hectares
(9,418 acres). The administration offices for Flying Dust First Nation as well as most of the
nation’s homes are located on the main reserve. Flying Dust First Nation has twelve other
reserves; and, land held in fee simple title. Flying Dust land portfolio is highlighted in the next two
pages Table 1 and Figure 1.
Flying Dust signed the 1992 Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Framework Agreement. The Agreement
recognizes the band’s claim to receive additional land under Treaty 6 that the band was entitled to
but did not receive when the original Reserve was surveyed. Through their ratified TLE agreement,
the community can purchase an additional 22,000 acres of land. The band is interested in acquiring
strategic lands for oil and gas development, tourism, and recreation, among other uses.
A specific claim is in effect, and near completion of settlement, for a portion of former reserve
land that borders 105 to the southeast, along Main Street in Meadow Lake. The land in question
(214.81 acres) was reserved land from 1876 until 1932. It was expropriated by CPR in 1932 for
a railway right-of-way. Most of this land has been turned back to reserve title, and is now in the
planning stages for commercial developments. CPR subdivided the land into lots and began
selling it off starting in 1944 through to 1991; first, on their own behalf, then under the name of
Marathon Realty Company Limited. This was contrary to the Indian Act which provided that
Flying Dust should receive first right of refusal, and the land should be returned to Flying Dust.
Hence, in April 1994 a specific claim was submitted for all of the lands that were subject to
expropriation, since the land was clearly no longer being used for railway purposes.
The “Railway Lands”, as they are called, from the Specific Land Claim are almost all completely
turned back to reserve title now in 2024. With this land conversion and development occurring,
the FDFN Lands Department has been identified as the guiding flagship department for
economic development opportunities, leading the nation’s current development. Because of
this, it is very important for the FDFN Lands Department to have a clear and concise plan
forward that is informed by the CCP, to ensure the department is in alignment with the goals of
the First Nation moving forward.
In 2022, Flying Dust First Nation’s Lands Department has developed a three-year strategic plan.
The purpose of this Strategic Plan (“the Plan”) for the Flying Dust Lands Department (“FDFN
Lands Department” or “Lands Department”) is to define a shared vision for the Lands
Department at Flying Dust First Nation, and a plan to ensure the community’s long-term
economic sustainability for its membership. Now the CCP can provide guidance and direction to staff, management, from the community, and allow for a shared understanding of direction, all while allowing for the autonomy and authority of the department to act as a guiding flagship for the nNation as a whole.
FDFN Lands Department has been growing along with Flying Dust’s membership. With the
recent railway land settlement and buzz surrounding commercial development of those lands, it
is of the utmost importance for the FDFN Lands Department to maintain a clear guiding strategy
toward sustainable long-term economic development. It is agreed by all Flying Dust leadership,
staff, and members, that the FDFN Lands Department plays an important role in supporting
economic development in the Greater Meadow Lake Area. To continue this important work, a
clear strategic direction for the FDFN Lands Department needed to be developed by taking
steps to identify and leverage existing strengths and strategic opportunities to maximize the
department’s future potential.
FDFN Lands Department has also worked on a Market Assessment Study, and amended its
Land Code in 2022, in order to enable future commercial development through more flexible
lease terms and financing capabilities. FDFN’s Land Code remains as the paramount
jurisdiction for administering property interests on-reserve, and will now be able to create the
conditions for an on-reserve economy that will boost economic growth in the Meadow Lake
trading region.
Next steps will include a continued Land Use Planning process, that will require community
engagement and decision-making on zoning for land use. These steps will further help FDFN to
attract prospective commercial tenants like big-box stores, develop office space, a hotel, and
other ventures that will create employment opportunities for Flying Dust, Meadow Lake, and the
surrounding First Nations of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council.
Flying Dust First Nation (Kopahawakenum) is member of Treaty #6, which they signed on August 26, 1876
For more information on Treaty 6, please visit Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Website.
For more information on Treaty 6, please visit Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Website.
Treaty Land Entitlement
- FDFN signed TLE Framework Agreement on September 22, 1992.
- FDFN ratified its TLE Trust and Band Specific Agreements on May 29, 1993.
- FDFN receives 33,910 equity acres, 6788 of those are shortfall acres.
- FDFN has the ability to purchase mines and minerals up to equity acres.
- FDFN celebrates the acquisition and Reserve Creation of its Shortfall acres in 2001.
Lands purchased to date that have been turned to reserve status:
For a total of 10,965.7 acres
Lands purchased but have yet to turn to reserve status:
- FDFN ratified its TLE Trust and Band Specific Agreements on May 29, 1993.
- FDFN receives 33,910 equity acres, 6788 of those are shortfall acres.
- FDFN has the ability to purchase mines and minerals up to equity acres.
- FDFN celebrates the acquisition and Reserve Creation of its Shortfall acres in 2001.
Lands purchased to date that have been turned to reserve status:
For a total of 10,965.7 acres
Lands purchased but have yet to turn to reserve status:
- Norsask: 5682.24 acres
- Setrokov/MRS: 262.16 acres
- Cabana pasture: 394.95 acres
- Sk Ag food: 19.90
- Stupka: 94 acres, 1.35, .10
- Labrash: 2293.05 acres
- Stupka: 1079.89
- Leschuk: 180.50 acres, 11.1 acres
- Gagnon: 919.69
- Parcel F, G & ICG: 24.69
- Parcel BB: 2.08
- Robinson: 1280 acres
- Agrifoods: .76 acres
- Lots 14, 15, 21: 1.3
- Lays: 3.38 acres
- Southeast, SK: 960 acres
Current Land Holdings
The main reserve, Flying Dust 105, is located on the northeastern border of the City of
Meadow Lake and is accessible via Highway 55 and has an area of 3,811 hectares
(9,418 acres). The administration offices for Flying Dust First Nation as well as most of the nation’s homes are located on the main reserve. Flying Dust First Nation has twelve
other reserves, with land bases as follows:
The main reserve, Flying Dust 105, is located on the northeastern border of the City of
Meadow Lake and is accessible via Highway 55 and has an area of 3,811 hectares
(9,418 acres). The administration offices for Flying Dust First Nation as well as most of the nation’s homes are located on the main reserve. Flying Dust First Nation has twelve
other reserves, with land bases as follows:
Community Facilities
Many facilities exist on the reserve for the mutual benefit of all band members. The facilities
enable programs and services to be delivered to the members of the band. Community facilities
on reserve include the concert stage, Flying Dust gymnasium, walking path, Kopahawakenum
School, the corporate office building, Tribal Council building, and the operations and
maintenance shop. The community has access to many parks and recreation facilities including
the Ken & Ron Derocher Memorial Park, Flying Dust First Nation Pow Wow and Arena
Grounds, Lions Park (City of Meadow Lake), and Meadow Lake Provincial Park. The hockey arena, outdoor rink, basketball court, and ball diamonds located on reserve are all extensively
used by the community.
Many facilities exist on the reserve for the mutual benefit of all band members. The facilities
enable programs and services to be delivered to the members of the band. Community facilities
on reserve include the concert stage, Flying Dust gymnasium, walking path, Kopahawakenum
School, the corporate office building, Tribal Council building, and the operations and
maintenance shop. The community has access to many parks and recreation facilities including
the Ken & Ron Derocher Memorial Park, Flying Dust First Nation Pow Wow and Arena
Grounds, Lions Park (City of Meadow Lake), and Meadow Lake Provincial Park. The hockey arena, outdoor rink, basketball court, and ball diamonds located on reserve are all extensively
used by the community.
Infrastructure
Currently, Flying Dust First Nation receives water services from the City of Meadow Lake. The Nation has made financial contributions to the expansion of the Meadow Lake water system. Flying Dust First Nation operates its own water system and lagoon for the reserve. The Nation also operates its own waste collection services.
Flying Dust First nation is linked to many major Saskatchewan centers by Class One Highway #4. Having road access to other communities including North Battleford, Lloydminster, Cold Lake, and Prince Albert is important to the nation for economic development opportunities.
Currently, Flying Dust First Nation receives water services from the City of Meadow Lake. The Nation has made financial contributions to the expansion of the Meadow Lake water system. Flying Dust First Nation operates its own water system and lagoon for the reserve. The Nation also operates its own waste collection services.
Flying Dust First nation is linked to many major Saskatchewan centers by Class One Highway #4. Having road access to other communities including North Battleford, Lloydminster, Cold Lake, and Prince Albert is important to the nation for economic development opportunities.