Curve Lake First Nation - Plans: Strategic, CCP, membership
Incite Planning has provided strategic assistance to Curve Lake First Nation regarding its Land aspirations. We analysed the current reserve holdings, as well as additional interests within their traditional territory.
I – Future Land Development Strategy
The most recent assessment was of a fee-simple purchase that extended Curve Lake’s land holdings. We assessed the commercial and residential potential of the property, along with its natural beauty and agricultural capacity. The opinions of community members regarding appropriate uses were surveyed and compared to the constraints that the land itself, economic priorities, and policy restrictions placed on this parcel.
We then ran a landscape sector analysis to reveal the opportunities this land represented for the First Nation. A policy intervention, on behalf of Curve Lake, was conducted with the local municipality and County regarding their implementation of the Provincial Growth Plan. The restrictions being contemplated would have limited the development options for the community. Part of our recommendations was the consideration, by Chief & Council, for placing the property into the Additions-to-Reserve process. Though delaying some courses of action, this would eventually place the greatest amount of control in the community’s hands.
II – Comprehensive Community Plan
Previously, we assisted Crane Aboriginal Management Services with its comprehensive review of the Curve Lake First Nation’s services and operations. We were retained to furnish a planning review of its land use and population.
II A – Land
The community is a complex mix of mainland, drowned land, and islands. In addition, there are fee-simple lands, some of which were subject to the Specific Claims and Additions-to-Reserve processes. Our analysis of their land tenure, settlement patterns, land use sectors, and infrastructure initiatives was based on Conservation Planning principles of preserving the unique natural and cultural features of the community, and as well as avoiding hazards. We also used Smart Growth principles design as a framework for neighbourhoods that would be people-friendly, as well as delineating those areas that should be used for growth and business development.
II B – Population
Understanding the future trends, as well as present demands, of a population is an important piece of a compressive review. However, unique First Nation issues regarding fertility, aging, Indian Act status categories, and On/Off reserve residency were also analysed to create a more complete picture (more about “Population Forecasting”). Our analysis encompassed a profile of everyone living in the community, along with projections of the entire (local & general) First Nation membership, as well as various segments, of the population.
II C – Survey Review
As part of the Community Development exercise, an opinion survey was undertaken to solicit views on how well the community was functioning, including issues of housing and land use. We provided a review of the resulting environmental, infrastructure, and community issues, along with proposed zoning categories and procedures for a more formal planning process.
