Development alongside Territorial Dr. has generated curiosity in the community. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Tyler Marr

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Red Pheasant begins work on commercial development east of Territorial Dr.

Sep 27, 2019 | 3:56 PM

Sudden development along Territorial Dr. on North Battleford’s east end has piqued curiosity in the community.

The land, which is owned by the Red Pheasant Cree Nation, will soon house a Petro-Canada service station, fully funded by the First Nation.

Underground infrastructure is currently being installed and construction on an approach onto the property from 15 Ave. and earthwork will begin shortly.

The land was purchased by Red Pheasant in 1992 under the Treaty Land Entitlement Program. It was not converted to reserve status until Jan. 26, 2010, as a municipal service agreement was required.

When the community obtained the land in the early 1990s, Chief Clint Wuttunee said the desire of Red Pheasant leadership at the time was to develop commercial enterprises.

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That is now coming to fruition with around 10 to 15 acres set for development in the coming months.

“We are very pleased with how we are able to accommodate the wish of the people and leadership of the past,” Wuttunee said.

He said the community and First Nation’s people as a whole need to be more self-sustaining as it can be difficult to meet the needs of many with few government dollars.

“We are trying to fill that gap,” he said. “We want to create revenue and we want to create jobs and I think economic development is one good avenue to achieve that.”

The land is currently rented out to a farmer and the money collected from the crop is used to support the Battlefords North Stars. Wuttunee said a general concept for the entire 350-acre property is on the books. Red Pheasant has worked with consulting firm Urban Systems on the venture.

The Red Pheasant announcement is one of several economic investments undertaken by area First Nation communities. In late August, the Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation announced it will launch a construction company, security company and gas bar.

“We are all neighbours,” Wuttunee said. “We all live here and we are not going anywhere. It is positive for a nice announcement to happen where we have cooperation among the communities. It is a win-win situation.”

He said a formal sod turning is planned for a later date.

—

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr