Residential school survivor uses payout to start business

When Sandra Nataucappo of Fishing Lake First Nation moved back to Saskatchewan from Vancouver Island four years ago she had some experience working in the hotel industry.

So when she got compensation for her years spent in residential school, she decided to use part of the funds to purchase Junction 5/35 Motor Lodge in Wadena and start her own hotel business.

“It was an opportunity,” said the mother of three. “And I’ve worked in the hotel business, in the industry I’ve learned off my children’s grandparents. I’ve learned off of them the ability to run a hotel. And what will make it work and what will not make it work,” she added.
So far it has been keeping her very busy, she said.

“This building has been sitting here for 30 years… My partner bought the building and I used $25,000 (of residential compensation) for the per capita. And the first year I made $80,000 on it,” she added.

Nataucappo’s compensation was the result of approximately 8-9 years of attending three different residential schools in Saskatchewan. These included
Punnichy, Lestock and Qu’Appelle Indian Residential Schools.

“Actually I wasn’t really interested in the big program of all this payout because I know for myself not enough money could be had to pay me out,” she said.

“But I did take whatever I got. And I even appealed it for whatever it was worth,” she said. “And I said ‘well, this is how I’m going to start my business. I’m not going to be a loser and abuse victim. I’m going to use my money in a proper manner.’”

Nataucappo speaks proudly of what she has achieved with the hotel business in the four years it has operated under her direction.

“I bought carpets and other things we needed for the hotel,” she said. “In 15 months I’ll be able to have my own restaurant as well.”

She added that along with a restaurant she is also going to try to expand service to 24 hours because a lot of truckers and travelers pass by the town looking for a hotel to spend the night.  She said she also has a lot of big name companies who stay at the hotel for up to six months at a time, which is very good for business not only for herself, but the community.

“The way to grow the town is get people who are coming through and staying and then going into town and shopping,” Nataucappo said.

“I have little fridges and little stoves, little microwave fridges, coffee pots and toasters in each room. And we also have a dining room, like a restaurant in the building,” she added.

Nataucappo mentioned that someone has spoken to her about applying for further compensation through the Independent Assessment Process.

“But I passed that stage of my life,” she said and added that she believes a lot of people are using that as an excuse to cease trying to make a living.

“And I do not see it. I’ve seen the abuse because I went to residential school and everything. But I don’t see why people today are still stuck and using that as an excuse not to excel, not to try and get ahead,” she said. “It’s a disgrace, yes, nevertheless, a person can overlook that and get on with (life).”

Nataucappo said she believes she made a good decision to use her compensation to start her own business and encourages other survivors of residential school to make wise decisions with their payouts.

“Good luck to all survivors,” she added.