Homesteads

Nokomis History
Western Land Grants – Nokomis & District

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The following are the names, dates and locations of the original “Dominion Land Grants” as issued by the Dominion Lands Branch of the Federal Department of the Interior from 1871 to 1930 and then by the Lands Branch of the Government of Saskatchewan since 1930.

The Dominion Government commissioned the survey of the prairies of Western Canada throughout the late 19th century. In conjunction with the work of the surveyors, the Dominion Government began the steps necessary to settle this newly surveyed land by passing the Dominion Lands Act of 1872, paving the way for the huge influx of settlers in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Land was designated according to use. The Hudson’s Bay Company retained possession of 1/20th of the land – including the land arounds its posts as well as all of Section 8 and all but the NE quarter of Section 26 in every township. Railways were given all of the odd numbered sections (except for Section 11 & 29) in each township. Most of the railway land was within a 24-mile radius of a rail line. However, not all land designated as railway land was taken by the railways – much of it was turned over for homesteading. The proceeds from the sale of the railway land were used to finance the building of the railroads. School lands were also designated. Sections 11 and 29 in every township were reserved as school lands and the proceeds from the sale of this land were used to finance education. A homestead consisted of 160 acres and could be located on any of the remaining surveyed lands designated for homesteads.

Upon completion of an “Application for Entry” for a homesteaad, and having paid a fee of $10, a homesteaader would begin to “Prove Up” their homestead. Males aged 18 years or older and females who were the head of the family qualified for a homestead entry. There were several homestead duties that had to be completed before the settler could apply for a Patent (or Title) to the homestead. These duties included building a home worth at least $300, residing on the homestead for a period of time, usually six months of the year over at least three years, making improvements to the land by cultivating at least 30 acres of land, and planting a crop on a minimum number of acres. After meeting the homestead requirements, the settler was then eligible to apply for the “Land Grant”. If considering family history and/or the Century Family Farm Awards, one should remember that the “Homestead Application” date was, in most cases, at least three years prior to the dates shown on this map. Those settlers who were not British subjects by birth had to become naturalized before they could obtain the patent to their land. Once the homestead duties were completed, the homesteader would apply for the Patent to the land and, in most cases, Letters Patent were issued. Once the settler had received the homestead patent, they then had an option to purchase a quarter section as a pre-emption or as a purchased homestead for $3 per acre. Under the Dominion Lands Act of 1872, grazing leases could be granted to ranchers. In May of 1881, rental was fixed at one cent per acre, the maximum range of time was set at 21 years and maximum area at 100,000 acres. Five years later, the rental in some areas was increased to two cents per acre. Many early settlers purchased their land directly from the rail lines, colonization companies or the Hudson Bay Company instead of, or in addition to, applying for a homestead. Land Grants were also made to veterans of the North West Mounted Police, veterans of the North West Campaign of 1885 and to veterans of the South African (Boer) War. The Soldier Settlement Act of 1917 to 1919 gave a free quarter section to veterans of the First World War. Land scrip was also granted to Native Americans who lived in the North West Territories prior to 1885.