Urban reserve idea gets chiefs support

Chiefs in the Sioux Lookout area are supporting a funding application from the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to study the establishment of an urban reserve.

Mayor Kathy Poling confirmed the support in a press release Nov. 17.

“We continue to investigate the establishment of an urban reserve in Sioux Lookout in collaboration with the Sioux Lookout district chiefs,” Poling said.

Sioux Lookout has been exploring the idea of an urban reserve since the fall of 2007, when it formed an Urban Reserve Sub-Committee to look into the concept.

Poling said the town is now seeking funding from the provincial and federal governments to further study the possibility of an urban reserve, a move supported by area chiefs in a resolution passed in October.

Shortly after the chiefs resolution was passed, Sioux Lookout Coun. David Gordon, who is also chair of the Urban Reserve Sub-Committee, said it would be a slow process to develop an urban reserve.

But he said it’s key to involve the public in this decision, noting consultation will take place in Sioux Lookout and surrounding First Nation communities.

“We want to ensure that the public is involved in the process and has access to the information that becomes available,” Gordon said.

Chief Clifford Bull of Lac Seul, part of the Sioux Lookout district chiefs, is supportive of further exploration.

“We have more questions than answers and by conducting a feasibility study, we hope to be able to provide answers to the First Nation communities and the residents of Sioux Lookout on what benefits an urban reserve can provide for our communities,” Bull said.