Urban reserve on the grow with new centre

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The Muskeg Lake Cree Nation celebrated a new addition to its urban reserve in Saskatoon on Sept. 28 with the grand opening of the Cattail Centre, owned in partnership with Saskatoon Tribal Council under its SDC Development Corporation.

The Cattail Centre joins the Kocsis transport building, the McKnight Business Centre and Veteran's Plaza on the Muskak Lake Cree Nations' business park.

The centre currently houses eight Aboriginal businesses - North Central Insurance; ATS (Aboriginal Technology Solutions); Ernie Scoles Art and Framing; PGN, a printing company; Leanne Bellegarde-Daniels law firm; Doug Cuthand, a media and production company; Saskatoon Development Corporation; and Cress Housing Corporation. You can also find Saskatoon Tribal Council in the centre. Plans also include an expansion with a gas station.

"It's a proud day. Our Elders are proud and our community members back home, they are proud of the accomplishments," said chief of the Muskeg Lake First Nation, Gilbert Ledoux. "We're looking out for our youth. It gives them something to look forward to. It gives them a chance as a model that they can look at and shoot for."

The creation of the Muskeg's urban reserve was one of Canada's first. The First Nation had a 48,640-acre treaty land claim with the federal government and opted for urban land instead of agricultural land to fulfill its entitlement with the hope to create and support Aboriginal business.

It took four years of difficult negotiations with government before an agreement was signed on Oct. 1, 1988. The McKnight Business Centre and Veteran's Plaza began in 1989.

Guests at the grand opening were supportive and pleased to see the expansion of the business park with the addition of the Cattail Centre.

"I think it is great, absolutely wonderful for Aboriginal people," said Ken Noskiye from Saskatoon. "It's a wonderful opportunity for Aboriginal business."

During grand opening ceremonies, Saskatoon Mayor Henry Dadday was on hand to give his support to the continuing growth of the business park.

"The city of Saskatoon is proud to work in partnership with the Muskeg Lake First Nation," said Dayday. "It acts as a model as to how an urban reserve can exist within a city centre. It sets an example of how the two can work together, how you can co-exist. This Aboriginal economic development centre to create jobs is one the city is proud to support."

A ribbon cutting for the grand opening was done by Elders of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and followed by a buffet style meal attended by several community members and business leaders.