Casinos giving back to community

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There were certainly enough nay-sayers who believed First Nations run casinos would be a negative influence on Saskatchewan's society, both morally and economically. Yet today, some of those very same people who resisted the change are now among the loudest supporters of these businesses.

Not only have the casinos created jobs and brought revenue to First Nations, a portion of the casino profits have gone directly back into the communities through donations to local organizations.

"Through (Prince Albert's Northern Lights) casino, we've made donations to the Prince Albert Fine Arts Festival," said Northern Lights Casino general manager Alphonse Bird. "We've also given to Special Olympics, Children's Haven . . . we've made a major donation there, last month. We donate quite a bit to community clubs in town."

These donations have been made thanks in part to an agreement signed between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the provincial government in 1995, prior to the opening of First Nations run casinos in Saskatchewan. Because of this agreement, separate entities now referred to as Community Development Corporations (CDCs) were formed.

"I think it's to help the community through their clubs, and to be a good corporate citizen in this community," Bird said of the role of the CDC. "It's just to be good corporate citizens, to keep money within the community rotating and giving it back."

An example of that giving back took place on April 22, when the Northern Lights CDC donated just under $825,000 to the Victoria Hospital's medical imaging department to help replace aging x-ray equipment.

"We aim to be part of the community, we do that on purpose," said McNabb. "We want to be part of that economic community, and a part of the economic future of those communities. So we're trying our best, certainly, to participate in all levels of the communities, right from the charities right into some of the longer-term economic plans."

SIGA operates all of the First Nation run casinos in Saskatchewan, including the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert, as well as the Bear Claw Casino in Carlyle, Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford, and the Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton.

One of the other projects that has received funding through casino profits is the Enchanted Forest light display set up in Saskatoon each Christmas.

"Part of that money that we make, half of it, actually goes to the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation," McNabb said.

"Also, two years ago, we were involved with the Children's Health Foundation. We helped them buy the pediatric ambulance, and that pediatric ambulance is stationed in Saskatoon, and serves northern Saskatchewan," McNabb said.

"It's one of those things where money has never been before. Suddenly, here's all this money that's available to put into things like pediatric ambulances, hospitals, equipment, things like that. Saskatchewan as a whole is economically challenged when it comes to getting funds for these kinds of things, so these various groups and foundations could apply to these Community Development Corporations, and therefore enhance life for all Saskatchewan people because of the availability of those particular funds.

"We know for sure that, with the pediatric ambulance, it's helped numerous families, bringing kids into Saskatoon, to University Hospital for specialty care. Delivering them from all over Saskatchewan, quite literally. And not only First Nations kids, but all children, who are fortunate enough to be helped," McNabb said.