Saskatoon, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation sign agreement to begin arena talks

Mayor Cynthia Block and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe signed a memorandum of understanding at TCU Place on Monday. (CTV News/ Dan Shingoose)

The City of Saskatoon and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation have taken the next step toward a potential partnership on the proposed downtown arena, convention centre and entertainment district.

Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe signed a memorandum of understanding at TCU Place on Monday. The non-binding agreement sets out shared goals, intentions and a framework for a potential future partnership.

The signing comes after city council unanimously voted last week to enter negotiations with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

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Block and Wolfe said the partnership could benefit both communities and future generations.

“We’re looking long term and looking at the economic development, prosperity of all our citizens because we have citizens here in the city, and we know that everyone will prosper for this,” Wolfe told reporters.

“Both the nation and the City of Saskatoon are trying to create wealth for our cities, prosperity for the future, attract residents, making sure we have tourism here, making sure we have good jobs here,” Block said.

Wolfe said there is no timeline for the negotiations.

One option under consideration is for the arena site to become an urban reserve.

An urban reserve is land purchased by a First Nation and granted reserve status by the federal government. Once designated, the First Nation becomes the taxing authority over the land and many city bylaws no longer apply.

Wolfe also highlighted potential funding and financing opportunities, including the First Nations Finance Authority, the Canada Infrastructure Bank and federal procurement policies that support First Nations ventures.

“We’re going to do our best to ensure that we capitalize on all of those,” he said.

No funding has been committed by either the federal or provincial government at this stage, but Saskatoon-Willowgrove MLA Ken Cheveldayoff said the province is open to becoming a partner.

“We want to be part of this at the appropriate time,” Cheveldayoff told reporters.

As negotiations move forward, any decisions involving finances, governance or land will require city council approval.

City administration will also report back to council at least every two months throughout the negotiation process.

—With files from Laura Woodward