The Sturgeon Lake First Nation and Metis Nation of Sask. have joined the PAREDA group. Front row: Chief Greg Ermine (left) and President Glen McCallum (MN-S). Behind are representatives of other members including (l - r) Mayor Greg Dionne, Derek McKay (PBCN Dev. Corp.), Reeve Eric Schmalz and Mayor Amund Otterson. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Economic Development

Métis Nation and Sturgeon Lake join Prince Albert alliance

Mar 31, 2022 | 2:28 PM

The Prince Albert regional economic alliance grew today with the signatures of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and the Sturgeon Lake First Nation on a new three-year agreement.

Representatives from both groups say they joined for the economic opportunities.

For Glen McCallum, president of the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, citizens are looking for job opportunities and hoping to find them in the resource sector.

“How do you identify the businesses that create those jobs, you know, in forestry or in mining?” said McCallum.

Joining PAREDA allows the Métis Nation to work with neighbours to improve their situation in a group that has a goal of helping all its citizens benefit.

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“How do we complement each other instead of fighting each other over what’s available to this region,” said McCallum.

“We can speak as one voice and be able to plan together so that we have that stronger opportunity to create jobs for our people.”

The Métis Nation has about 80,000 citizens in Saskatchewan registered in the last five years and there are about 8,000 registered Métis in the Prince Albert area.

Unity brings strength, said McCallum.

“It is better to work as a region rather than individually so this opportunity for us in this region anyway is that our people are involved in the opportunities,” he said.

Those opportunities are more likely in a group than if the MN–S works independently.

There are already 1,200 Métis small businesses in Saskatchewan, and some are in the Prince Albert area.

Sturgeon Lake First Nation Chief Greg Ermine said multiple governments and organizations joining forces is a logical move that should produce results.

“The more people we can bring to the table collectively to discuss the current and future growth of the PA region, obviously better results can come of that,” he said.

Sturgeon Lake has over 3,000 registered members and is located less than 50 km northwest of the city. While about 400 to 500 members are living directly in Prince Albert and many of the people who reside on the reserve commute for work or shopping and services.

Having Prince Albert grow benefits the entire region.

“It’s really exciting to know that not only us but a number of organizations are involved with the long-term planning of the Prince Albert region,” said Ermine.

In looking ahead, Sturgeon Lake wants to be part of the regional growth and how it moves forward.

“We brainstorm and wonder where is Prince Albert going to be in the next decade? In the next century,” Ermine said.

“If we can have a part in planning that and at least providing some input and insights and ideas and if we multiply that by a number of other organizations, and a number of other brains, obviously better results can come of that.”

PAREDA also includes the City of Prince Albert, the RM of Prince Albert, the Town of Shellbrook and Peter Ballantyne Development Corp.

The RM of Buckland was a member but withdrew several months ago.

In the time since its inception in 2019, PAREDA has focused on areas like recruiting new members, establishing the tourism arm of its operations and reopening the Visitor Centre.

They are also developing a welcome package to help with attracting labour to the region.

At the same time the MN–S and Sturgeon Lake joined on March 31, the partners signed a three-year extension to the agreement.

In their strategic plan looking ahead, the board is focused on job creation, revenue generation, working with higher levels of government and creating an investment strategy.

They will also focus on building tourism in the area.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow