New business deal for Sakimay

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Sakimay First Nation Chief Lindsay Kaye, Regina mayor Pat Fiacco and Roland Properties Inc. member Garry Oledzki gathered behind the Regina International Airport's Saskatchewan's Gateway sign on Sept. 26 to break ground on what is to be the first partnership involving First Nations on any airport property anywhere in Canada.

This new venture called Gateway Centre will employ qualified Aboriginal people to work at the gas bar, convenience store and car wash complex, which is expected to be completed by next summer.

Wolfe Construction began work on the complex on Oct. 2. Kaye was told Aboriginal workers would be employed to help build the centre.

"That's one of the things that I made sure of, that the Aboriginal content of employment is there," he said.

This gas station complex is just one of many new initiatives Sakimay First Nation is currently working on, Lindsay Kaye said. In the next month or two, the community will be breaking ground on a new health centre worth more than a million dollars.

Kaye said he has people approaching him with ideas to build businesses on Sakimay-owned land located on the east and west side of Regina.

"I have people calling me saying that they would like to put up a bingo hall, or a community hall or offices," said Kaye. "I have a top-notch First Nation chef looking for a place to run a business. So, the clientele is there. We've just got to keep moving."

Sakimay has two other gas bars in operation and also owns Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton.