Land Management is the day-today management and administration of reserve lands, environment and resources. It generally includes activities related to the benefit of use and development of land for individual, collective and economic purposes. As identified in the Indian Act, Reserve land is “a tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, which has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band. “Reserve lands are different from other land in that:

• Legal title to reserve lands is held by the Crown rather than by individuals or organizations;
• First Nations has a recognized interest in reserve land that includes the right to exclusive use and occupation, inalienability and the communal nature of the interest;
• The land cannot be seized by legal processes or be mortgaged or pledged to non-members of a First Nation; and
• The Minister must approve or grant most land transaction under the Indian Act. The Constitution Act of 1867 gives parliament authority over “Indians and lands reserved for the Indians.” The Indian Act, in place since 1876, was passed by parliament under this authority and sets out the land’s management responsibilities of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development for much of the reserve lands in Canada. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) provides land management services to First Nations across Canada. Land Management generally includes activities related to the ownership, use and development of land for personal, community and economic purposes.

The Land Management function of Indigenous and Northern affairs Canada (INAC) involves the provision of land management services of over 600 First Nations and covers 2,366 reserves within the 2.7 million hectares of reserve land across Canada. The Constitution Act of 1867 and 1982. The Indian Act, Treaties and other federal statutes have provided the legal framework for the First Nations Lands. 

Land Management Programs are a transfer of control over land management from INAC to First Nations. It is part of an overall approach to facilitate assumption by First Nation control over communities. 

There are 4 land management regimes:

Two under the Indian Act:

1. Reserve Lands & Environmental Management Program (RLEMP)
2. Delegated Lands Management Program (53/60) – no longer in effect, only few Nations fall in this category

Two under Self- Government:

1. First Nation Land Management Act (FNLMA)
2. Comprehensive Self-government agreements

Siksika Nation Lands are currently governed under the Indian Act. There are 34 sections within the Indian Act that Siksika Nation currently follows. We are currently enrolled in the Reserve Lands & Environmental Management Program (RLEMP) of which provides external funding for monitoring and compliance of our *Federal Land Instruments. All Federal Land Instruments are Governed through INAC. However, Siksika is continuously gaining more controls and responsibilities in governing our land base. 

Through RLEMP, there are 3 levels and they are;

Level 1- Training & Development

Level 2 – Operational

Level 3 – Delegated Authority

Siksika Land & Resource Management is currently operating on level 1 “Training and Development” since 2018, and will reach operational by 2022. 

• FEDERAL LAND INSTRUMENTS: PERMITS, LEASES, EASEMENTS, etc.

LEGISLATIONS THAT LAND & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOLLOW:

Federal:

First Nations Lands Management Act (FNLMA)

Indian Act

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA)

Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)

Species at Risk (SARA)

Indian Oil & Gas Regulations

Provincial

Water Act 

Agricultural Service Board Act

Weed Control Act

Agriculture Pests Act

Soil Conservation Act

Animal Health Act

Nation

Siksika Financial Administration Law

SIKSIKA LANDS & MANAGEMENT STAFF

Hester Breaker – Land Manager hlbreaker@siksikanation.com

Ashley Bull Bear – Office Administrator ashleybullbear@siksikanation.com

Carolyn Turning Robe – Land & Policy Coordinator carolyntr@siksikanation.com

Darren Many Heads – Environmental & Field Coordinator darrenmh@siksikanation.com

Lance Breaker – Field Tech lmsafieldtech@siksikanation.com

Tiffany Yellow Fly – CR File Clerk lmsa_clerk@siksikanation.com

Audrey Whitehawk – Land Clerk landclerk@siksikanation.com

Brent Spring Chief – Land Administrator brentsc@siksikanation.com

TK (Terrance Keith) Bear Chief – Land Use Policy & Plan Technician tkbearchief@siksikanation.com

Shawn Red Crow – Seasonal Field Technician

Kelsey Stimson – File Clerk landsreception@siksikanation.com

TBD – Policy Administrator

TBD – Environmental Field Technician