NAN congratulates Slate Falls Nation for receiving reserve status

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, on behalf of the NAN Executive Council, congratulates Slate Falls Nation Chief Lorraine Crane and Council for receiving long-awaited reserve status for the remote Ojibway community.

“We are pleased to congratulate Chief Crane and her Council for their determination to reclaim their home over nearly three decades of advocacy and negotiations. This is a historic achievement that all community members can be proud of,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “Achieving reserve status took a tremendous amount of work by community leaders, representatives of many other organizations and various levels of government. We acknowledge the efforts and persistence of everyone who assisted. This is a major accomplishment and a milestone for the people of Slate Falls.”

Slate Falls Nation was one of six new First Nations established under the Six Nishnawbe Aski Bands Agreement nearly 30 years ago. The Nation was recognized on April 15, 1985 as the Slate Falls Band #259 under the Indian Act.

Slate Falls Nation received an Order-in-Council on December 14, 2018, that sets aside lands to Slate Falls Nation to finally achieve reserve status. A community celebration will be held today.

Achieving band and reserve status will allow Slate Falls Nation to develop much-needed infrastructure and economic opportunities that will help create employment and provide a better quality of life for members.

The community celebrated the opening of a new water treatment plant in March 2018, part of a $11.6 million-dollar project to provide safe drinking water and firefighting infrastructure such as water pumps and hydrants.

Slate Falls Nation is located approximately 125 kilometers north of Sioux Lookout.

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca