The Government of Canada and the Huron-Wendat Nation Council announce a major expansion of Wendake

The Deslauriers-Plante parcels become reserve land in Wendake following a federal decree adopted on January 29, 2016

WENDAKE, QC, Feb. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, along with the Grand Chief of Wendake, Konrad Sioui, are proud to announce the addition of the Deslauriers-Plante parcels to the Wendake reserve, as part of a community expansion project.

This is an addition of 126 acres to the reserve. These lands, located on the east side of the reserve, will be used primarily for commercial and residential purposes. This addition will help meet the community's needs following significant population growth and will also help stimulate economic development.

This expansion project stems from the Quarante Arpents Specific Claim Settlement Agreement, signed on January 28, 2000, which provides that the band can add 1,352 acres of land to the reserve. To date, 182 acres have been added to the reserve, including the addition of the Deslauriers-Plante parcels.

Quick facts

• The Wendake Reserve is located north of Québec and has about 4,000 members, of whom 1,516 reside on the reserve.
• Since 2004, the Huron-Wendat Nation Council has put forward about 30 parcels to add to the Wendake Reserve.
• These additions are possible thanks to the Additions to Reserve/New Reserves Policy, which enables First Nations to ask for land to be added their existing land base, which in turn can greatly contribute to improving their social and economic development.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is more than ever committed to advancing reconciliation and working in partnership with First Nations to improve their socio-economic future. This expansion will enable the Huron-Wendat Nation to move forward with residential, commercial and industrial projects which will benefit not only the community members but also people from the surrounding area."
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

"After more than five years, the project is completed today and I think we should collectively congratulate ourselves for having taken this other very important step. We are now ready to initiate other projects on our territory, the Nionwentsïo. We can certainly contemplate our future with enthusiasm and optimism since our rights are intact and protected on these recent land acquisitions. We intend to demonstrate once again our business leadership through new initiatives."
Konrad Sioui
Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation

"I am proud of the conclusion of this positive agreement, announced today by my colleague Carolyn Bennett, for the community as a whole. Thanks to this project, the Huron-Wendat Nation will be able to see more families grow and develop in the region for the benefits of current and future generations. The population growth experienced in recent years can continue in the heart of the Nation's territory."
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Additional links

Additions to Reserve
Additions to Reserve/New Reserves Policy
Urban Reserves: A Quiet Success Story
Additions to Reserve Success Stories: Saskatchewan's One Millionth Acre; Long Plain First Nation's Urban Reserves Story
Nation huronne-wendat (in French only)

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160