Indigenous business leaders to gather in Saskatoon for inaugural summit

Indigenous interest in the business and opportunity that comes with developing resources like oil and rare earth minerals – something Saskatchewan has no shortage of – has grown in the last 20 years.

That has echoed a growing understanding of how the treaties between Indigenous people and governments can benefit both.

“Our people have taken more of a keen interest in how can we be involved, how do we develop partnerships and what do we need to do as First Nations to, you know, work in partnership with industry, with the respective provincial and federal governments.”

Wuttunee is no stranger to business.

He is a member of the Red Pheasant First Nation, serving as Chief for a time. He helped create the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs, a council of six First Nations and is trained educator and was a school principal.

Now, he is CEO of the Saskatchewan First Nation Natural Resource Centre of Excellence, which will host the forum.

He wants to make sure that Saskatchewan First Nations have a voice and a chance to be part of any success coming down the road.

“As we look to explores, as we look to extract some of the minerals in our treaty and traditional territories, what role do First Nations play in that?” he asked.

Bands across Saskatchewan are actively created economic development corporations so they can have higher participation in value chain opportunities for energy and critical minerals.

One example of successful Indigenous business is in Onion Lake Cree Nation, which created a company called Onion Lake Energy.

“They do a lot of great work on the nation. They’ve been doing that for many, many years and have really been a leader in building their own capacity, having their own people from Onion Lake Cree Nation at the forefront and doing things the way they know how to do it,” said Wuttunee.

Onion Lake Energy has managed to build its business while keeping culture and tradition intact.

Further north, the English River First Nation claims the Athabasca delta in its traditional territory. The band has signed multiple deals for the development of minerals like uranium.

It doesn’t stop there though. Wuttunee pointed to English River’s business operations that include UAVs, run drones and an established a large urban reserve development in Saskatoon, not to mention Solstice, their coffee company.

“They’ve really found opportunities on many different fronts,” he said.

The upcoming forum will start with a youth summit on May 27th and a golf tournament that will support STEM education for k-12 students. Two youth from every one of Saskatchewan’s 74 First Nation’s have been invited and will be introduced to the business world as it relates to energy and critical minerals.

On May 28 and 29th, participants will hear from experts and keynote speakers. The forum will wrap with an invitation only leadership summit that will connect Indigenous leaders and federal, provincial and corporate decision-makers with the goal of laying the groundwork for future economic partnerships.

Wuttunee acknowledged the twin considerations of preparing youth for future and business opportunities but also recognizing that the traditional lifestyle for his people is much different.

“When we are looking at these projects and how we become involved from an economic development standpoint, we also have to focus on the importance of our cultural sustainability, environmental stewardship,” he said.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social

by Susan McNeil

Indigenous business leaders to gather in Saskatoon for inaugural summit

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