Pasqua First Nation Land Management Committtee is made up of five community members, one urban member and two portfolio councillors, Lands Coordinator and Land Communication Assistant.

The Land Management Initiative that was originally undertaken by fourteen First Nations from across Canada. In addition to the fourteen, as of April 2001, more than thirtynine other First Nations have passed BCR’s or expressed an interest to join this initiative. Steps have been taken to amend the Framework Agreement to accommodate these First Nations.

First Nation Land Management is a major step toward self-autonomy by First Nation communities to take control and assert jurisdiction over reserve lands and resources. A First Nation with a Land Code in place has the powers of Government over land and resource management. It has the power to make laws and to enforce those laws. It will set out the rules and procedures that will replace the Indian Act and will govern the future management of reserve lands. It is therefore a very serious matter. First Nation community understanding, involvement and support is essential.

A Land Code is designed by the community membership following the principles contained in the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management. The membership must vote on its Land Code in a ratification process it sets out. The membership must also vote on its own individual Transfer Agreement in exactly the same way. The Transfer Agreement is with Canada and lists the reserve lands that the First Nation will take jurisdictional control over and the funding that Canada must provide. If a Fist Nation feels it is not ready to take control over its land and resources, or does not want that responsibility, it should not participate in this process. That decision must rest with the First Nation community. The land management process is now law and as of April 2001, four First Nation communities (Chippewas of Georgina Island, Mississaguas of Scugog Island, Muskoday and Lheidli T’enneh First Nations) are implementing their own land and resource management laws. Several other First Nations are now in the final stages of getting ready for their Land Code and Transfer Agreement votes.