Sturgeon Lake First Nation wants to convert this strip mall beside Rona to an urban reserve. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Economic development

Sturgeon Lake First Nation urban reserve plans progress

Feb 6, 2020 | 4:10 PM

Sturgeon Lake First Nation is one step closer to establishing an urban reserve in the city of P.A.

At the most recent city council meeting on Jan. 27, Prince Albert’s politicians approved a servicing agreement for the property owned by the First Nation at 15th St. E. and 10th Ave. E. clearing the way for it to be converted into treaty land entitlement reserve.

“This is an exciting project for us and the city of P.A.,” Sturgeon Lake First Nation Chief Greg Ermine told paNOW.

While the First Nation already owns various businesses and commercial properties in the city, the strip mall on the corner of 15th St. E. and 10th Ave. E. will be its first urban reserve.

“Economic developement is an area of top priority for us,” Ermine said. “It’s about community pride for our band membership, but also at the same time we’ll be active investors in the city of P.A. and contributing to the overall economy.”

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A map shows the lands owned by Sturgeon Lake First Nation which it wants to convert to reserve status. (Council Agenda Package/City of P.A.)

Sturgeon Lake First Nation is still in talks with the provincial and federal governments, but Ermine said they hope to have the land converted within a year.

Once the urban reserve is established, the First Nation will continue to lease to the several businesses that currently occupy the strip mall, although they are considering different options for future development.

“In developing a long-term plan for the property there is nothing concrete, solid in place right now,” he said. “We are currently in the process of looking at options, but the most important component for us was first getting the land acquired, second getting it to reserve status.”

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom