SAGKEENG FIRST NATION September 24, 2025 – Since time immemorial, Sagkeeng Anicinabe, its members and its ancestors, have lived and relied on, and engaged in a relationship of reciprocal obligations with, its traditional and ancestral lands and waters. These lands and waters include parts of what are now known as Treaties 1, 3 and 5, but they have been known to Sagkeeng by other names since before Europeans and other settlers first came to our land.
For over 150 years, Sagkeeng has honourably upheld its promises to share its territory in the boundaries of Treaty 1 and has attempted to work constructively with the Governments of Canada and Manitoba to properly manage the resources in its unsurrendered Aboriginal Title area, north and east of the western bank of the Winnipeg River. Unfortunately, the Crown Governments have failed to manage our resources in a responsible and respectful way. The Crown Governments’ failures have left the resources on which we rely for sustenance, our livelihoods, and the continuation of our culture and way of life, at dire risk. As a result, the governments have left us no option other than to take a more active role in the management of our lands and resources. They have demonstrated that they simply cannot be trusted to do so without us.
Recently, Sagkeeng put several signs up at key entry points to our territory, ensuring that visitors are aware that they are entering Sagkeeng territory. While in our territory, visitors (including those who may live here, for they are also visitors) are expected to respect our way of life and our title to our lands, which is being proven in court.
The signs are a reminder, to visitors that they must abide by our laws and conduct themselves respectfully while in our territory. Abiding by our laws includes not hunting, fishing or trapping in our territory without our permission. Any person visiting our territory for residential, recreational or travel purposes who is not hunting, fishing or trapping, is welcome to continue doing so, as long as they do so respectfully and in accordance with our laws.
