LAND CODE
Community Information Website
What is a Land Code?
What does it do?
It replaces Canada’s Indian Act authority over our lands and recognizes our inherent right to govern MLCN reserve lands through our own community-created rules and processes.
Why is this important?
Our Land Code gives MLCN the authority to make timely land decisions, strengthen protections, and manage our lands in a way that reflects our community’s needs, culture, and long-term goals.
MONTREAL LAKE CREE NATION
LAND GOVERNANCE
The Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management is a historic, First Nation–led agreement that provides communities the option to take back control of their reserve lands by creating their own land codes. It's been in place for almost 30 years. Montreal Lake Cree Nation has signed this agreement and is developing a land code.
If our members vote in favour, our Land Code will replace much of the Indian Act that currently controls how our lands are managed.
With the Land Code, we will regain the authority to make our own decisions about our lands, environment, and natural resources.
The Land Code sets out who can make decisions, how lands will be used and protected, and how the community is involved. Once a Land Code is approved, the federal government no longer manages those lands.
Across Canada, 127 First Nations are already using their own land codes and have full control over how their lands are governed.
BENEFITS OF OUR
LAND CODE
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Our inherent right to manage our own lands and resources will be officially recognized for the first time.
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The parts of the Indian Act that currently control what happens with our reserve lands will be replaced with our own land laws.
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Our community will have full control over how we manage and develop our lands.
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On and off-reserve members will have a say in important decisions.
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There is more accountability to our members.
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Montreal Lake Cree Nation will have stronger tools to protect the environment.
A LAND CODE DOES NOT
x Affect additions to reserves or land claims
x Increase provincial or municipal jurisdiction
x Affect taxation or tax exemption
x Affect Treaty/Indigenous rights
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
Montreal Lake Cree Nation
Land Code (Draft)
Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management
Individual Agreement
Community Ratification (Voting) Process
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Summary
Other Information
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Maps of lands included in draft Land Code