Fort Qu’Appelle once again becomes a key location for defining Treaty relations
By Lucas Horsman

According to Grasslands News, an estimated $400,000 worth of illegitimate fees have been waived after a 27-year-old contract governing the Treaty lands around Fort Qu’Appelle has been replaced. In its stead, a new agreement that opens the region up for investment has been drafted.

“(This) has taken five years . . . that’s a major accomplishment,” says Mayor Brian Strong. “The reason I say that is because we work in partnership with Treaty Four . . . when I sat with all the chiefs, it was unanimous.”

The new agreement was signed off on by all sitting members of the Treaty Four Council of Chiefs. An impressive feat, and a signal of confidence, as even a single opposing vote would have stopped proceedings.

For the Council of Chiefs, this new deal serves as a major relief. In addition to securing utilities for the All Nation’s Healing Hospital, the brand-new Eagle’s Nest Clinic, and the nearby Governance Centre, the new agreement also rights a greedy wrong.

A previous administrator had tried to illegally impose fees of around $400,000 upon the agreement. These fees have been dropped, and instead annual payments of $20,000 will be made to the municipality, according to Grasslands News.

The hospital, clinic, and Governance Centre provide the surrounding area with plenty of employment, along with essential services like medical care.

Chief Administration Officer Don McLeod further explained the benefits of the collaboration. “We do have ten reserves within, you know, a half-an-hour of here . . . This is their main trading area . . . and council is of the mind right now that they (will do) whatever they need to do to help these guys.”

This land agreement is greatly beneficial for the Indigenous community, but also benefits the housing market in the region.

“We’re kind of landlocked as far as commercial property, and they’ve got quite a bit of property out there. So we’re hoping that (by) working in harmony, we can expand that much further,” Mayor Strong says.

“Vacancy right now in this town is about zero,” says McLeod. “We’re hoping to attract a developer to come out and start putting up some different housing.”

The new developments would likely come in the form of duplexes and townhouses. These would be very appealing for new families who are looking to invest in their first home.

“The people that are going to move into these types of housing are going to be younger families with children because they’ll be able to buy these for less money than what you’d have to pay in Regina,” says McLeod.

The signing of the new agreement holds a lot of promise for the people in the area. But, there are other developments going on that make the future of the valley town seem even brighter.

The town’s infrastructure has recently been updated. The water treatment plant is currently being renovated, roads have been paved, and several sewage lift stations were serviced.

While the refurbishing was necessary, Mayor Strong and the Town Council have made sure to invest in fun, and not just function. Over $250,000 went towards upgrading the Rexentre, the local hockey rink. A new water park was also completed recently by the Lions Club.

With all that the area has to offer people, and affordable property soon to become available, Mayor Strong and the Town Council are feeling optimistic about the future of the town. Fittingly, 2026 will draw many eyes to the valley, as Fort Qu’Appelle prepares for its 75th Annual Parade Day.

“Next year will be our 75th anniversary . . . I believe we arranged for the Snowbirds to do a flyover,” remarks Strong. The Annual Parade is a beloved tradition, with the population of the town often going from 2,200 to 15,000 for Parade Day.

Mayor Strong, CAO McLeod, and the rest of Town Council hope that the event will allow people to take notice of the changes in their community. United by progress, Fort Qu’Appelle and Treaty Four both seem poised to meet the coming years with renewed energy and potential.

Synopsis: A quick look at the projects of Fort Qu’Appelle’s Town Council, such as the construction of the water park and refurbishing of infrastructure, with focus on the agreement between Fort Qu’Appelle and the Treaty Four Tribal Council to open reserve land up for development. Story by Lucas Horsman.