There was a strong turnout for the sod-turning celebration today. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Urban reserve

Red Pheasant Cree Nation breaks ground on 17-unit retail project

Oct 18, 2023 | 3:22 PM

It was a proud day for Red Pheasant Cree Nation on Wednesday when the community held an official sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of its new commercial development.

It’s being called “Eagles Landing” and will be located on its urban reserve at 15th Avenue and Territorial Drive in North Battleford. The space will be used to create a new 17-unit retail mall.

In 2021, the First Nation opened Centex Gas Bar, the first development on this land. So, the large-scale retail project will be the next phase of its long-term plans.

Sheldon Wuttunee, the First Nation’s former Chief, spoke at the event.

“A lot of the [matters] we face today as First Nation people border on how we can ensure our children and grandchildren have some opportunities to look forward to, in regards to our culture and our tradition,” he said. “But also for jobs and business and opportunity. Today, we are gathered here on behalf of the hard work of many of our Elders and our leaders past and present, who have really come together to put into that dedication the vision and support to make this a reality.”

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Representatives from area First Nations, the City of North Battleford, and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) also participated in the ceremony.

“We have come here to honour the relationships we have with the City of North Battleford, the Town of Battleford, and all our non-First Nations brothers and sisters for the support we have,” Wuttunee said. “This is a real dream come true.”

He noted the development has also involved a lot of hard work from the TLE [Treaty Land Entitlement in Saskatchewan] agreement committees.

“We came to an agreement in 1992, called the Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement. We enjoy the benefits of the vision of our Elders and leaders of those times,” Wuttunee said, on how the First Nation ultimately acquired this land.

Red Pheasant’s Chief Lux Benson said it’s great to see the land being developed finally.

“It’s been a long time, waiting for this day, and we’re finally here,” he said. “It’s a very proud day… it’s a big step forward for my community. There will be a lot of opportunities for our young people. This is all for them.”

The total land is about 400 acres in size, with the retail project covering no more than an acre of that amount.

The federal government is providing $ 4.2 million for the project to develop underground infrastructure for water and sewer, heading north along Territorial Drive, from 15th Avenue to Wearing Road. The cost of the retail project itself will be covered by the First Nation.

City of North Battleford Mayor David Gillan said they’ve been involved with the First Nation on the new project.

“It’s very exciting,” he said. “This is an amazing development. We’ve been working on it for some time. We’re very proud today to be joining Chief Benson, and all of Red Pheasant in celebrating this development.”

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron noted this project provides great opportunities for Red Pheasant and area First Nations.

“The hopes are huge,” he said. “Obviously, with the [Centrex] gas station [being built]. And, I think condo units are coming, and the whole strip mall. There are going to be big opportunities here. And with big opportunities come employment, come revenue, and come the economic spin-offs for the City of North Battleford. It’s a positive thing all around.”

Meanwhile, Red Pheasant Cree Nation also hopes to have a residential development in the future potentially, as well as a new school.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow