EDMONTON — The Lubicon Lake Band, the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta have signed a land claim and treaty benefits settlement that enables the band to build much-needed infrastructure.
Under the settlement, the band will receive more than 246 square kilometres of land, $95 million from the Government of Canada and $18 million in compensation from the Province of Alberta as well as the development of community infrastructure, explains a news release.
The settlement addresses an outstanding treaty claim dating back to 1899.
“Because of their remote location, the members of the Lubicon Lake Band were missed by treaty commissioners and were never allocated a reserve or all the benefits of signing,” the release reads.
The community infrastructure that is planned will not only include housing, but also all-season roads, water and wastewater services, solid waste management and telephone and Internet cabling.
“The next major step is being able to build infrastructure such as homes, an elders’ lodge, a state-of-the-art school building and recreation centre, as well as an administration and health centre,” said Chief Billy Joe Laboucan of the Lubicon Lake Band.
“Thus, the next major step is building the infrastructure and providing a good, secure economic future. That would mean careers and businesses in the oil industry, forestry and service industry.”
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