Urban Indian reserve

[2] It is argued that the first formal commercial urban reserve was a property of 33 acres (13 ha) established within Saskatoon in 1988 for the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

Article 9 of this accord provides a mechanism for First Nations groups to contract with municipal governments to allow designation of certain properties as reserves.

[7] Critics such as the Canadian Taxpayers Federation are concerned that such reserves are entitled to exemptions from taxation that other businesses in a community do not enjoy.

[5] Proponents of urban reserves note that these encourage a diverse land base which provides business opportunities for First Nations people.

It is also claimed that there are advantages to the surrounding community due to spin-off business activity which contributes favourably to those outside the reserve.