Dignitaries hold the ribbon marking the completion of the Meskanaw project. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Improved access

Sturgeon Lake First Nation celebrates completion of major paving project

Oct 27, 2022 | 11:53 AM

Traffic is now flowing on a newly paved stretch of road northwest of Prince Albert.

The 12 km. stretch through Sturgeon Lake First Nation, connects to highway 355. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday to mark the completion of five months of work, and years of planning.

In her remarks to the crowd, Chief Christina Longjohn thanked the elders who blessed the road and also acknowledged members of previous leadership who helped such as Senator Craig Bighead and former Chief Greg Ermine.

“We have a lot of youth now that walk back and forth, and that are on bikes and skateboards because they are so happy that there’s pavement on the road,” she said.

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In addition to addressing health concerns related to dust, the newly paved road is also expected to improve access for police and ambulance and open new opportunities for economic development.

The total cost was $8.14 million, and was funded entirely through various community programs. Each band employee also paid a community infrastructure fee.

“We got tired of our road being on a capital projects list so we basically took it upon ourselves and with the help of CIBC, we were able to get a loan to do the work,” Chief Longjohn explained.

Chief Longjohn. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Among the dignitaries in attendance to show their support for the community were Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice-Chief Dutch Lerat, and Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne. Dionne shared that the last time he was on the road, he was attending the pow wow.

“Thank god I have a four-wheel drive truck because I didn’t think I was going to make it, and I’ve been here quite a few times on the beach, and cars would go by and you’d get dusted,” he said.

Noting the extent of work done during phase one, Dionne said there’s lots of room for development.

“And what I like about it is it’s gonna help shoppers get to Prince Albert quicker,” he said. “Because we realize where our economic development comes from, and that’s north of the bridge.”

Mayor Greg Dionne addresses the large crowd in attendance, while FSIN Vice Chief Dutch Lerat looks on. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The newly paved surface appears to almost shine. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Work on phase one is expected to officially wrap up in the spring with the installation of permanent guard rails on the bridge. Chief Longjohn said future plans include the paving of the education road, which is used daily by health care and education workers, as well as band administration.

In the spring, there’s also plans to have a sod-turning ceremony for a new birthing centre.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell