The City of Saskatoon is looking at an Indigenous partnership that could see the land downtown for an arena become an urban reserve. In a report going to city council next week, city administration is proposing partnering with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in an effort to advance the Downtown Event and Entertainment District project. “Early discussions with representatives from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation have identified opportunities that could extend beyond entertainment and hospitality development to include an operating partnership for the new convention centre and event centre, with the lands for these venues potentially established as new urban reserves within Saskatoon,” the report read. In March, city council voted against having Oak View Group, an American-based venue operator from operating the eventual downtown arena and convention centre 17 months after originally striking a deal that would help fund the $1.2 billion project, leaving a crucial portion of funding undecided. The City of Saskatoon’s website says an urban reserve is land that is purchased by First Nations and eventually granted Reserve status by the Federal Government. Once an urban reserve is designated, the First Nation assumes jurisdiction and city bylaws and regulations no longer apply. Urban Reserve’s can bring in many economic investment and development opportunities and align with responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Call to action which calls on municipalities to support Indigenous economic opportunities and inclusive procurement practices. The report says Saskatoon already has eight urban reserves, and three more at different stages in the approval process. “The City has been presented with a significant opportunity to advance the Downtown Event and Entertainment District through a strategic partnership with the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation that reflects the scale, visibility, and long-term importance of this project.” The report outlines the roadmap the City has taken so far to explore a funding strategy for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District. In 2024, Saskatoon’s administration revealed its cost estimate for the proposed downtown arena district to be $1.22 billion, which included the cost of the arena, convention centre and land purchases. It says establishing additional Urban Reserve lands in the city could lead to shared investment, governance, employment, business development and procurement. In a news release, the city says council is only being asked to enter direct negotiations toward a potential partnership and not approve a final agreement. The report says no commitments can be finalized until both councils of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon give approval. Muskeg Lake Cree Nation posted a statement on its website saying no final agreement has been made and it is only the beginning of conversations. “This is a positive opportunity to explore, but we want to be clear with our citizens: this is not a final agreement. No financial, land, governance, or legal decisions have been made by Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. At this stage, it is the beginning of a conversation about what a respectful partnership could look like,” the statement reads. The First Nation says the conversations are worth having carefully and may create opportunity for it’s citizens and the residents of Saskatoon. “At the same time, our responsibility is to be careful and accountable. Any future steps must protect the interests of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, respect our own governance and approval processes. If City Council approves moving forward with discussions, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation will continue reviewing the opportunity with care and will share more information with citizens as it becomes available.” The report is on the agenda for next week’s city council meeting.
