‘Bring families home’: MGBHLM breaks ground on muti-million-dollar subdivision

Phase one will see underground infrastructure completed for 15 lots. Phase two will expand the subdivision to 60 lots, with the goal of building the first 15 homes by late 2025 or spring 2026 if construction is delayed.

Stone said the first two phases of infrastructure work — including water, sewer and power — will cost about $5.6 million, not including the construction of homes. Funding for the project has come entirely through Indigenous Services Canada, following years of negotiations that began with a $100,000 assessment more than a decade ago.

“It’s a multimillion dollar project, and it’s going to take a few years to see all homes built and become a reality.”

Stone said the groundbreaking represents years of work by past and current leaders, elders, engineers, and federal and provincial officials.

“You’re just one member of that huge team to make that happen,” she said. “Right from the governments to the contractors that are going to start this work, to the leadership, to the membership… it’s a big accomplishment for our community.”

The future site of the 60-lot subdivision. (MGBHLM/Facebook)

She said the project is about more than houses. Based on data collected by the nation, the 60‑unit subdivision could bring about 165 children to the community.

“So we need to be prepared as a nation… when families come home, different-named families. We all are coming home to learn to get along and to work together for that next generation that’s not even here yet.”

The push to bring members home grew during the pandemic, when leaders saw how many families were living away from the community.

“Everybody wants to come home,” Stone said.

“What we really discovered was there were 100 families just alone from Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man renting properties in North Battleford. They want to be home, but there’s no housing. We pushed and pushed, and here we are today.”

A project team including engineers, Indigenous Services Canada representatives and members of the nation will meet regularly to keep the work on track.

“This cannot happen without partnership, and partnership is key when moving forward and building those relations and networks,” Stone said.

“It’s a really, really critical time that we build our communities collectively.”

Leaders are also planning for the expected population growth, with discussions underway about a high school and a multiplex.

“We’ve already put a significant amount of infrastructure [into] preparing for our kids. We have a youth center opening up at the end of August. We have a $500,000 skate park [that is expected to open in September and it is funded by local businesses]… because we have to prepare for the kids,” Stone said.

Housing applications for the new subdivision are already open. Members can apply through the nation’s housing department by phone, email or online, including via the community’s app and Facebook page. Once applications are submitted, leadership will decide on priorities for which families will receive homes first.

“ The next step is going to be the difficult part… identifying priority, who’s coming home and so that is something that is always on the radar of how we’re going to move forward.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

‘Bring families home’: MGBHLM breaks ground on muti-million-dollar subdivision

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