Regina is looking at having a fifth urban First Nations reserve within its boundaries.
Nekaneet First Nation’s main land base is about 390 kilometres southwest of Regina, but it’s looking to set up an urban reserve at 4400 Diefenbaker Dr. on the north edge of the city.
If all goes according to plan, the site will be home to a gas station and convenience store.
The band will have to apply to Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada to convert the property into reserve land.
Before that happens, it will have to sign an agreement with the city to pay the equivalent of property taxes in exchange for police, fire and other services.
The band will also pay fees for water, sewer and garbage removal.
Because the gas station will be built above a particularly sensitive region over an aquifer, an underground water system, Nekaneet will be required to build tanks above ground and take special precautions to control potential spills.
The proposal goes to the city’s executive committee on Wednesday and Regina City Council on May 25.
Other Regina urban reserves, include one operated by the Piapot First Nation in the North Central neighbourhood, have been up and running for years.
The city says there have been no serious problems with any of the urban reserves.
Source:: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/new-urban-reserve-proposed-for-regina-1.3069776?cmp=rss
