A Saskatchewan First Nation is about to make a new contribution to urban development in one of the province’s urban centres.

North Battleford mayor David Gillan and leaders from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation gathered on Wednesday to break ground on a 17-unit commercial retail project. Construction of a new mini-mall is expected to be complete next June, with the goal of expanding urban development in the North Battleford region while bringing the First Nations community into the larger fold of Saskatchewan’s life and economy.

“We need to be involved in the local economy, and when we’re hunkered down in our First Nations communities, there’s not a whole lot of opportunity for that,” said AJ Ahenakew, who leads economic development and finance for Red Pheasant Cree Nation.

While the band operates a store and farm on-reserve, the mini-mall is its second commercial entity in North Battleford. It has been operating a gas station and special goods store called Red Pheasant Centex Gas Bar in the city for about three years.

Gillan said the new initiative is a part of the group’s ongoing regional collaboration with the city.

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