SKWAH FIRST NATION
LAND CODE
Welcome to our
LAND CODE
development website
We are tentatively looking to hold our vote in Summer 2023 and will inform our members when they will be able to vote on the Skwah First Nation Land Code.
The land code is a land law developed by our First Nation that, if approved by our voting members, will remove the power the federal government currently has to make decisions on our reserve lands and place it back in the hands of our people.
This website is dedicated to sharing important information about the Skwah First Nation Land Code and the details of its vote with our members.
Developing our own land code means being able to take control of the management of our lands back from the federal government.
A land code means incorporating our culture into the management of our lands and protecting it for this generation and the generations to come.
The development of our land code is a community-driven process. It is by OUR community for OUR community and we need your voice in order to make these important changes for our future!
A LAND CODE:
-
IS CREATED by a First Nation
-
REPLACES the land management sections of the Indian Act
-
REMOVES the Government of Canada from reserve land management
-
DOES NOT impact Indian Act Tax Exemption
-
DOES NOT impact reserve status of land
-
PROTECTS our lands from expropriation
A LAND CODE CAN:
-
PROTECT Cultural Heritage
-
PROTECT our land base
-
PROVIDE more funding opportunities
-
SUPPORT economic development
-
CREATE the opportunity for more business
-
ENFORCE land laws on reserve
237
First Nations across the country are involved in the process to develop a land code! (either as an interested First Nation or a signatory to the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management)
104
First Nations across Canada have implemented land codes!
52
First Nations in B.C. have implemented land codes!
Did you know?
CLICK TO ENLARGE MAP
Explore the
SKWAH FIRST NATION LAND CODE
WHAT IS A
LAND CODE
A land code is the land law developed by a First Nation to replace the lands administration sections of the Indian Act.
IT PROTECTS OUR LANDS FROM THE GOVERNMENT
WHY HAVE A
LAND CODE
Through our land code we can protect our cultural heritage, provide more funding opportunities, support economic growth, enforce land laws on reserve, and more!
Through community engagement, your Land Management Team is working hard to develop the Skwah First Nation Land Code. It needs YOUR VOTE to pass!
HOW DO WE CREATE A
LAND CODE
What is the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management?
The Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management (Framework Agreement) is a government-to- government agreement signed on February 12, 1996 by 13 First Nations and Canada. In the last 25 years there has been tremendous uptake by First Nations across the country. As of January 2021 there are 197 First Nation signatories to the Framework Agreement. Skwah First Nation is one of these signatories!
The Framework Agreement is a First Nation developed and driven initiative that enables First Nation communities to opt out of the land management sections of the Indian Act and take over responsibility for the management and control of their reserve lands and resources. The Framework Agreement sets out the principal components of this new land management process.
The Framework Agreement provides all its signatory First Nations with the option to manage their reserve lands under their own Land Codes. Until each of these First Nation communities develops and approves a Land Code to take control of its reserve lands and resources, federal administration of their reserve lands continues under the Indian Act.
The Framework Agreement is not a treaty and does not affect treaty rights or other constitutional rights of the First Nations.
Have questions about the Framework Agreement? Contact us!
SKWAH FIRST NATION
MEMBERSHIP
Please update your contact information so that you can receive updates and important information on the Skwah First Nation Land Code and vote as we move along in this process.
If you have any questions, please contact us. We'll get in touch with you as soon as we can!
