Lubicon Lake Band

The Lubicon Lake Band is a Cree First Nations band government in northern Alberta, Canada.[1] Missed by government agents during the signing of Treaty 8 in 1899, the Lubicon community was long without federal support. Seeking to have their traditional title acknowledged through the creation of an Indian reserve, Lubicon representatives have maintained an active land claim since 1933. As oil and gas development changed the face of Alberta, development on Lubicon land became an increasingly pressing issue. Between 1979 and 1982, over 400 oil and gas wells were drilled around the community of Little Buffalo, the band's headquarters. Most prominently, the nation mounted a protest campaign during the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, blockading roads crossing its traditional territory in October of the same year.[2]

This article is about the federally recognized band government. For the traditional government, see Lubicon Lake Indian Nation.
Lubicon Lake Band
Band No. 453
PeopleCree
TreatyTreaty 8
HeadquartersLittle Buffalo
ProvinceAlberta
Population (2019)[1]
On reserve107
On other land232
Off reserve376
Total population715
Government[1]
ChiefBilly Laboucan
Council
  • Joe Auger
  • Brian Laboucan
  • Jason Laboucan
  • Troy Laboucan
  • Timothy Sawan
Tribal Council[1]
Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council
Website
lubiconlakeband.ca

Because of a disputed election, the band was placed under third-party management from 2008 to 2013. A secret ballot was used for the first time in 2013, resulting in the election of new Chief Billy Joe Laboucan and the restoration of Government of Canada recognition.[3][4][5] In October 2018, Lubicon members approved a settlement with federal and provincial governments in a community vote. The agreement includes $121 million and 246 square kilometers of land near Little Buffalo.[2][6]

Land agreement

On October 24, 2018, the Lubicon Lake Band reached a land claim agreement with the province of Alberta. Chief Billy Joe Laboucan met with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and federal Minister of Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett for the signing. The agreement includes a land allocation of around 246 square kilometres (95 sq mi) of Crown land in the area of Little Buffalo, northern Alberta, to the Lubicon Lake Band, and $95 million in financial compensation from the federal government. The province of Alberta is providing an additional $18 million, which will go toward the construction of a new post-secondary school for 682 residents who have long struggled with poverty and substandard housing. There will also be developments on infrastructure like housing, roads, and utility services.[7][8]

References
  1. "First Nation Detail". Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  2. Clare Clancy (October 24, 2018). "Lubicon Lake Band land claim timeline". Edmonton Journal.
  3. Erin Steele (February 20, 2013). "Lubicon Lake Nation elects new chief and council in member-called election, receives federal recognition". Peace River Record-Gazette.
  4. Shari Narine (2013). "New Lubicon Chief recognized by federal government". Alberta Sweetgrass.
  5. Chief Billy Joe Laboucan (March 20, 2015). "Laboucan: We all have a role to play in reconciliation". Calgary Herald.
  6. Clare Clancy (October 24, 2018). "Lubicon Lake Band reaches historic $121-million land claim settlement with Canada, Alberta". Edmonton Journal.
  7. "Land claim agreement announced between Lubicon Lake Band and government of Alberta". The Star. October 24, 2018.
  8. "Alberta band settles long-standing land claim for $113M and swath of land". CBC. Edmonton. October 24, 2018.
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