KINOOKIMAW
Saskatchewan
HISTORY OF KINOOKIMAW
The area now known as Kinookimaw was originally designated for the Touchwood Hills and Qu'Appelle Valley Indians in Treaty Number 4 of the Northwest Territories in 1874. In 1896 Indian Reserve No. 80A was surveyed by J.C. Nelson D.L.S.. An area of 2.2 square miles situated on Little Arm River on the south side of Last Mountain Lake was set aside as a fishing station for seven Indian Bands - Daystar, Pasqua, Gordons, Muscowpetung, Poormans, Muskoweken, and Piapot. It was reported that the land along the lake was broken and rocky, the land south of this was good for hunting purposes, and that whitefish, walleye, and jackfish were present in abundant supply.
As the area was used as a fishing ground, there were few year-round residents. In 1890 a reserve at the north east corner of the property was set aside for Chief Kai-Kee-Wis-Tah Hans, "The Man Who Took the Boat" and his tribe. Also, prior to 1900, William Henry McKay and family settled in the area. Two of his children, Edward and Emma (Daniels) became long-time residents of the area. By 1906 only three families stayed year-round and members of the Piapot and Muscowpetung bands came to fish occasionally.
In 1907 the Saskatchewan Government was interested in obtaining a surrender of the land to be used as a public park. The Bands refused to consider this request. In 1909 Walter Scott, Premier of Saskatchewan continued to press the issue writing to Ottawa that "a summer resort known as Regina Beach has been located on the immediately joining property and a branch of the C.P. Railway is likely to cross the reservation next year." Although Scott thought this would strengthen his case, the requests were again denied. On May 12, 1910 Commissioner A. Bower Perry of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police made a request for the Regina Country Club to purchase or lease part of the reserve for an athletic and social club. He cited the position near the lake, good water and excellent site for golf links and other sports as reasons for the request. This request was also denied. In 1913 the Federal Minister responsible for Indians began negotiating with the seven Bands to obtain a surrender of the lands back to the Crown for sale or lease.
March 23, 1918 negotiations for the reserve were completed. The Morning Leader, August 15, 1918 reported "It is the intention however, to sell the property in lots and it would appear that they are likely to sell well...Only the property abutting the lake will be sold, the Indians will retain use of the arable land on the hill...It is anticipated that when the property is subdivided and sold it will be annexed to Regina Beach and the whole incorporated as a Village." (Wm. Graham Commissioner of Indian Affairs). The Minister sold 49 acres of these lands to the Canadian Pacific Railway and 163 acres to the Village of Regina Beach to use as a resort. The rest was leased to farmers and to the Village for a nominal rent until 1965.
After 1965 the seven Bands worked to have possession of the unsold lands, some 1196 acres, returned. On April 21, 1970 the seven Bands were registered as the Kinookimaw Beach Association under the Province of Saskatchewan Corporations Act to facilitate the lease of the lands back from the Crown. The Chief of each of the seven bands make up the Board of Directors. An Executive Committee comprised of three directors meet regularly to conduct the affairs of the Association. "The primary objective of the Kinookimaw Beach Association is to operate on a viable profit orientated basis in the short and, long term, as a means of establishing the Association as a self-sufficient profitable organization." (Page 18 - A Preliminary Ten Year Strategic Development and Management Plan for the Kinookimaw Beach Association - Ken Kirkham).
"The Seven Bands", in co-operation with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development agreed to a plan of economic development for the lands of the former "Last Mountain Lake Indian Reserve 80A" to include a golf course, campground, and residential lots. The development of the golf course, campground, and residential community proceeded as planned and, to facilitate the sub-leasing necessary to generate revenue, the Kinookimaw Beach Association arranged a "Head Lease" from the Federal Government so as to sub-lease residential lots on Crown land. The first "Head Lease" was approved on July 27, 1975 for a period of 45 years to expire on 30 June, 2022. Subsequently, in 1981, this "Head Lease" was extended to June 30, 2056.
The residential subdivision consists of 100 lakeside and back lots and is supplied with road maintenance, garbage pickup, street lights, and water system. Lots are leased from the date of signing to June 30, 2056. An upfront lease purchase fee based on the appraised value of each lot is charged, and the sub-lessee must pay an annual lease fee (in lieu of taxes) and service fee (road maintenance, street lights, water, and garbage pick-up). The leasing of lots began in late 1976 with virtually all lots having been sold and developed into 4-season housing. The majority of homes are occupied as the owner's primary dwelling. Lot leases are eligible to be re-assigned to new sub-lease owners when a property is sold with standard leasehold mortgages available via commercial lenders.
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