The Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs opened their first cannabis store in Nipawin, under an Indigenous themed brand (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff).

By Aaron Schulze

Nipawin Cannabis Store Opens

Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs take ownership, open Nipawin’s first cannabis store

Apr 5, 2020 | 5:01 PM

It took nearly a year and a half after its initial targeted opening date, but Nipawin’s first cannabis store opened on Saturday.

FN Cannabis Co. is on First Ave W is also the first cannabis store owned by the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC). The First Nation tribal council of seven members was initially a small percentage partner with GTEC Holdings, a cannabis company located in Kelowna, B.C.

Neil Sasakamoose from the BATC previously told northeastNOW both sides intended to open the cannabis store in December 2018. Fast forward eight months after their initial opening date, and Sasakamoose said the BATC got an unpleasant surprise from their majority partner.

“They determined in August that they weren’t going to open the store,” Sasakamoose said. “They sent us a letter… we were shocked. We weren’t sure what the issues were or why the store couldn’t be open, I still don’t know to this day. Hats off to the [Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority]. We had a small percentage of the store operations… the province told [GTEC] they couldn’t sell the store without the BATC’s consent, and we didn’t give our consent. We wanted to open the Nipawin location.”

The BATC officially bought out GTEC from the cannabis license in December 2019. After they went through the license application once more, hired staff, and got certification on March 28, FN Cannabis Co. could finally open.

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Sasakamoose said it was bittersweet only because he couldn’t attend the opening. The store can only allow two customers at a time due to social distancing requirements amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been a long journey for me personally because I’ve been in this since the day when the license was issued,” he said. “It’s been a challenge, but we’re happy. We have no intention of selling or moving out.”

Sasakamoose still wants to hold a grand opening for the store once gathering restrictions are loosened. He’s optimistic for a celebration in the fall.

The BATC hopes to expand its cannabis by opening three or four more physical stores on First Nations territory and offer online services in the years to come.

Sasakamoose doesn’t foresee FN Cannabis Co. closing services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that nearly all of the BATC’s income will go towards helping its member First Nations prevent the spread of the virus into their communities.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow