Summit looks to improve business relations
- EFN Staff | November 20, 2015
With the power house Onion Lake Cree Nation just up the road and with Little Pine First Nation owning a large urban reserve that will likely soon host a SIGA casino, First Nations business is set to explode in Lloydminster. To facilitate the growth and business relations, events like the recent Indigenous Economic Partnership Summit are helping to smooth the way for better relations and for reconciliation through business.
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner, the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lloydminster hosted the 3rd annual Summit in October with a theme of reconciliation through business. Participants heard panels on partnerships and reconciliation as well as key note addresses by Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Dr. Wilton Littlechild and Osoyoos First Nation Chief Clarence Louie.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has a specific section in the Calls to Action for business to help in the process of healing our country. “Business has a unique opportunity because of its independence in a way but also the really important way it makes community relationships,” said Dr. Littlechild. “So we (the TRC) called on corporations to through their staff, learn more about treaties and the Crown relationship we have and also learn more about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP). We think these are important solutions. Sometimes treaties and the declaration are mischaracterized as problems. Instead they provide solutions. If we use the declaration and the treaty as a framework for reconciliation, then it improves our business relationships in a much quicker way.”
Reconciliation was discussed during a panel consisting of entrepreneur Devon Fiddler, Anglican Reverend G. Scott Pittendrigh and Office of the Treaty Commissioner Executive Director Harry Lafond and they delivered an emotional and powerful message to the delegates and youth in attendance. “It is important to make reconciliation an everyday word,” said Harry Lafond. “What you receive, you can also give.”
And Chief Clarence Louie is a strong proponent of how business relations can help change communities. His Osoyoos First Nation is very successful with a number of businesses that employ hundreds of people from surrounding communities. He says working together unites people and we have a lot of history in doing so. “In my research, the original treaty relationship was a business relationship. Our people were self sufficient, independent and had our own economies,” said Chief Louie in a humour filled speech full of quotes to live by. “I have been told it is the economic horse that pulls the social cart. What I see is when native people create businesses and hundreds of jobs and when natives are working side by side with non natives you have that business relationship. It is a two way street. That’s reconciliation in a good way.”
Lloydminster Mayor Robert Saunders has spent time recently meeting with Little Pine Chief Wayne Semaganis, Onion Lake Chief Wallace Fox as well as SIGA representatives about future business in his community. “Business impact from Aboriginal people is growing. We have brought together Chiefs, councils, business leaders and youth here. Each year we bring greater awareness and give the opportunity for connectivity and sharing success stories so we get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses in order for us to share some common goals,” said Mayor Saunders. “We heard a powerful message from Willie about reconciliation through business. Most business partnerships are based on mutual understandings of respect for each other. We are working on that.”
The purchase of the urban reserve has stimulated quite a bit of business growth in the Saskatchewan side of town. “When I first came to Lloydminster, all of the businesses were on the Alberta side. Since we bought the land on the east side of Lloyd, you see the new hotels, apartments buildings, gas stations, restaurants and everything has opened up so we have certainly caused an expansion of business and a lot of people are seeing the benefits of working with First Nations,” said Little Pine First Nation Chief Wayne Semaganis.
Chief Semaganis is eager to get to work and get caught up on their urban reserve where they have plans for a casino, hotel, restaurants and a 3000 seat hockey arena. “This is a wide open market and the city of Lloydminster leadership has been very accommodating and the chamber of commerce and economic development people have done everything they can to make sure that business grows in the right way in our new partnership,” said Chief Semaganis. “People want things to happen and want opportunities too. My relatives and members, they want something good to give to their children as well. Like everyone else the wants, needs and desires for a healthy and happy family. They want to take part in the opportunities coming. ”