For those who claim "Harper does f*ck all" for First Nations....
Harper Government Investment in Whitecap Dakota First Nation Development Project Will Create Jobs, Economic Prosperity
Ref. #2-3689
WHITECAP DAKOTA FIRST NATION, SASKATCHEWAN (August 3, 2012) - The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and
Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear announced today a Harper Government investment in the development of a hotel and spa to be located on the First Nation. The hotel will complement Whitecap Dakota’s world-class golf course and casino and cement its position as a tourism destination in the province.
Once completed, the hotel will create 150 jobs in the community and create economic benefits for business in and around Whitecap Dakota. The First Nation expects that the project will turn its first profit by the end of its second full year of operation.
“Our Government’s top priority is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Duncan. “Projects such as this lead to both. Just as important, they also show how forward-thinking, prudent investment and strategic long-term planning can benefit an entire First Nation community and attract private sector investment. We congratulate Whitecap Dakota for their initiative and their leadership.”
“The Dakota Dunes hotel is an important phase in the development of a destination resort for the region,” said Chief Bear. “It will provide economic benefits for the Whitecap community, the Lake Diefenbaker Tourism Destination Area, and the City of Saskatoon.”
The Harper Government’s $3 million investment, provided through the Aboriginal Business Development Program, will be part of a $26.5 million investment in the hotel-spa project, which is expected to get underway this fall and be completed by summer 2014. The First Nation has also secured private sector financing for the project.
“For more than 20 years, the BMO Aboriginal Banking Unit at BMO has partnered with Aboriginal communities and their leaders on important initiatives ranging from strengthening economic development and infrastructure, to encouraging the growth of Aboriginal business innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Stephen Fay, National Director, Aboriginal Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal. “BMO is proud to be part of this initiative, which will create jobs and opportunity for members of the community, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to community leaders for their successful efforts to bring this project to life.”
The 161-room complex will be located in the same area as the First Nation’s existing entertainment facilities, specifically the Dakota Dunes Golf Links and the Dakota Dunes Casino. In addition, the facility will include a pool, convention centre, restaurant and lounge, and fitness centre and spa. Whitecap Dakota First Nation has already invested $12 million in infrastructure upgrades to support on-reserve commercial developments.
The Harper Government is committed to unlocking the economic potential of First Nations, Métis and Inuit by creating conditions to accelerate economic development opportunities in order to build strong, sustainable, self-sufficient communities, create jobs and maximize benefits for all Canadians. In June 2009, the Harper Government released the
Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development, which represents a fundamental change to how the federal government supports Aboriginal economic development.
For more information, please contact:
Minister's Office
Jan O'Driscoll
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
Whitecap Dakota First Nation
Darrell Balkwill
CEO
Whitecap Development Corporation
306-477-0908
BMO Bank of Montreal
Stephen Fay
National Director
Aboriginal Banking
416-927-2675
If you want a shining example of what good management can do Whitecap is the ideal example. It's gone from extreme poverty to paved streets, new school, community center/swimming pool and near non-existant unemployment, crime and substance abuse problems in the matter of a few years.
More ratbag Conservative help for those who help themselves, this time from Provincial govt who has no obligation for housing....
PROVINCE AND WHITECAP DAKOTA FIRST NATION OPEN NEW RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT
Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude today officially opened Buffalo Berry Place, a new $2.4 million, 12-unit rental housing development that will accommodate people employed on Whitecap Dakota First Nation (Whitecap). The province, through Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), contributed $1.7 million toward the construction of the apartment building.
This provincially supported on-reserve affordable housing project is the first of its kind known in Saskatchewan.
"Saskatchewan people should have a choice in determining where and how they live," Draude said. "The best solutions are created through local responses to local needs, and I am proud that Buffalo Berry Place is an example of this concept in action. We are honoured to work closely with Whitecap Dakota First Nation to bring this project forward and, most importantly, meet the housing needs of First Nations and Métis people."
"For the first time in Saskatchewan history, the province and a First Nation have worked in partnership to invest in on-reserve housing," Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear said. "There are approximately 670 employees in Whitecap and close to 500 of these employees commute to our First Nation daily. After surveying these employees, we identified that affordable housing was a high priority, and this project addresses this immediate and identifiable need."
Buffalo Berry Place is a 12-suite apartment building consisting of one- and two-bedroom units for families, singles and couples, as well as one unit that is fully wheelchair accessible.
SHC continues to work with the not-for-profit sector to develop new housing opportunities for First Nations people in Saskatchewan. Since November 2007, 177 affordable rental units have been completed and 88 rental units are under construction for First Nations people. In addition, 147 units are complete or under construction in northern Saskatchewan, where clients are predominantly Aboriginal.
Whitecap's many development projects currently employ more than 600 people. As all existing on-reserve housing is designated for Whitecap members, there is not enough housing capacity for the many employees who have been forced to rent housing in Saskatoon and commute to Whitecap to work. The project will therefore improve the availability of housing stock for Whitecap employees, reduce the demand on existing rental housing in Saskatoon, and reduce traffic on the Chief Whitecap Trail development corridor.
For more information, contact:
Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916 Chief Darcy Bear
Whitecap Dakota First Nation
Phone: 306-477-0908
Instead of sucking lemons Whitecap has made high quality lemonade.