What Is a Buckshee Lease?

A buckshee lease is an informal arrangement made between a First Nation band member and another party (often non-Indigenous), allowing temporary use of land on a reserve without formal approval from the Band Council or Indigenous Services Canada. These types of agreements are not legally enforceable and can be revoked at any time. If permission is withdrawn, the tenant has no legal right to remain on the land.

Case Example:

Actton Super-Save v. Eneas (2024) In 2024, a gas station operating on reserve land under a 29-year buckshee lease was ordered to leave after the landowner revoked permission. The court ruled the lease was unenforceable, declared the continued use of the land trespass, and awarded costs to the landowner.

Our Case:

The original agreement was with a member of the family who is no longer with us. The current landowner has decided to reclaim the property, and we’ve complied in good faith, end of story.