G3108 - Indian bands (voluntary), northern community areas

Operational Details
There are 82 First Nations or Indian Bands in the province of Saskatchewan. However, not all have chosen to take out WCB coverage for their workers. There are five major bands in the province including: Saulteaux, Dakota, Assiniboine, Dene and Cree (Plains, Woodland, and Swampy).

One of the major differences between a city, town, village or municipality is that the Bands have the mandate to also employ their constituents. Federal Government Funding provided through the Indian Act is directed to the Bands and administered by Band Councils and/or a Chief.

Indian band activities must be undertaken on the Reserve, however, some activities originating on the Reserve may encompass some off-Reserve work including: road maintenance contracts, breaking land etc. Many functions are undertaken on the Reserve including: band administration, maintaining roads and public works, utilities, operating recreational facilities, housing construction and maintenance, garbage disposal, brush cutting, community services, landscaping, policing, and repairing and maintaining their own equipment.

When an Indian Band subcontracts out work, those doing work on the Reserve that are not “Treaty Indians” are not covered by the Band. Should anyone who is a non-Indian provide labour on the Reserve, there is no coverage for this work. That is: unless the Indian Band has voluntary WCB with the Board.

Should any of the Bands with coverage incorporate any of their activities or businesses on the Reserve, the corporation would be subject to the requirements under the Act. For example, if the band incorporated their road maintenance and placed all their equipment into a company, then that activity would qualify for a compulsory account in R11-01 - Road Maintenance.

In the main, Indian Bands can do anything they want on the Reserve as a commercial or non- commercial venture. It is only when the Band incorporates part of their activities or works off the Reserve that the activities come under the Act on a compulsory basis.

Northern community areas are also covered in this subcode. These are isolated communities that are not incorporated and are operated similar to rural municipalities, except they are under the auspices of the government directly. Funding is received from the crown and an administrator or manager is responsible to the government.

It is not common for the northern communities to have capital assets. Most often maintenance of roads, public works and other administrative functions are subcontracted out to private industry. The community approves the funding for expenditures and it is paid by the government authorities.

SIC Codes
​000000472 - Indian Band (voluntary)
000000473 - Northern community area