Remote Bands Urged To Consider Reserve Relocations

Remote Bands Urged To Consider Reserve Relocations

Monday, February 08, 2010 at 13:54

A policy analyst with a Prairie-based think-tank says First Nations that don’t have access to economic opportunities should consider moving their reserves.

Joseph Quesnel of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy says bands in isolated locations are often plagued by low employment and poverty.

He says these communities should consider creating new reserves near cities and towns where jobs and education could be more readily attained.

At the same time, he says the government should allow those members to retain access to their old reserve so they can continue traditional activities.

Quesnel says this type of arrangement had been suggested for the community of Kashechewan, a First Nation in northern Ontario plagued by water issues and widespread social problems.

He says a poll at the time indicated a significant portion of the residents were in favour of moving to the outskirts of Timmins, Ontario — but the proposal was later countered by a local leader who produced poll results of his own.

Quesnel says the issue is one that requires a lot of discussion between bands and the federal government, but the time to start talking is now.