The Stoney Nakoda Nation will be returning to a land designation vote to commercialize nearly 3,000 hectares of reserve land for economic development despite the community voting against it last winter. The vote to designate the Treaty Seven land was first held in February 2018 and was voted down by residents with 654 voting no and 558 voting yes. The Stoney Nation leadership, which is made up by the Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley bands, said since the voting decision was so close, a second referendum will be held. The vote is scheduled for Oct. 18. “The Tribal leadership decided to undergo a second community referendum vote in order to ensure that the Nations’ people were fully engaged and that voters were fully informed, as land designation is an important decision,” read a press release sent out by the tribal administration. “If the land designation community referendum vote passes, it will allow the Stoney Nakoda Nations to start discussions on land economic development.” Jordie Mark, a Chiniki councillor, said the development would add to the Nation’s revenue, which currently relies primarily on oil and gas royalties. “It’s just forward thinking,” Mark said, adding he encourages Nation members to reach out with questions. If the land designation vote goes through, Mark said Chiniki will follow through with its solar project in partnership with Trico Homes, which is expected to generate 40 MC of energy. The land up for designation sits on seven sections of land throughout the Nation’s three reserves (Eden Valley, Big Horn and Morley) and represents seven per cent of the reserve lands owned by the nation. A yes vote would open the land to any business that is owned by a nation or non-nation member, though the land will still be managed by Stoney Nakoda. The land must be designated in order to be developed for commercial use under the Indian Act. The Nation leadership stressed that the designated lands would keep reserve status. The land parcels are within the Morley townsite and surrounding the Chiniki Cultural Centre, Nakoda Lodge, Morley west end, Morley east end, Eden Valley farm lands, and Big Horn gas bar. However, some residents remain wary of the use of the lands once they are designated and whether the community will see economic benefits. Rachel Snow, an outspoken community member who voted against the land designation in February and touted as the first law school graduate on the reserve, said the Stoney leadership hasn’t been clear in their business plans for the land. “They had that time from February until now, and they still have that time, to bring the people up to speed to go over the parcels and to discuss some of the businesses or some of the things that are going to be coming here as potential businesses,” Snow said. “They still haven’t given us the information and they have the expectation of a second vote.” Snow also worries about the new voting process, as this time the three bands have separate voting locations whereas in the last vote all the Morley residents voted in one location. “The last time we all had to go to the same ballot box, there were the same Indian Affairs reps there, we could watch that box all day and we asked them to count it in front of us,” Snow explained. “This time there are going to be ballot boxes in five different places.” Kirley Daniels, who also opposes the land designation, echoed his desire to have had more consultation during the eight months since the last vote. “From last time in February to now, there’s been no monthly meetings and then they brought (the vote) back,” he said. “There’s a lot to be discussed on this by the people before anything can be put to a referendum.” The Nation said in a press release that information sessions will be held up until the voting date and information packages are available to all Stoney Nakoda Nation members. The Oct. 18 vote will be held between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. For information on location visit www.stoneynation.com. Editorial Note: This article has been corrected from it's original, where it initially described the designation vote as "redesignation." Stoney Tribal Administration has said the land is not currently designated and therefore can only be designated, not redesignated. It has also removed a comment stating voters cannot watch the vote count. Stoney Tribal Administration has said the votes will be counted immediately after and community members are welcome to watch.
