Members of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation will go to the polls on Feb. 15 to vote in a referendum that could open the door to more jobs and greater economic development on the impoverished reserve.
If the referendum is successful, seven parcels of land in Morley, Eden Valley and Bighorn will become available to lease for private development. If approved, the sites would be designated for 99-year terms, or until 2117.
“This is something as Stoneys we’ve never done; that’s to think outside the box and to take the first step towards a better tomorrow because at the end of the day it’s about our children,” said Jordie Mark, a Chiniki councillor and the youngest elected official with the Stoney Nakoda Tribal Council.
“I think it’s a right step in the right direction. It’s not just an individual decision, it’s a community decision.”
Heather Carnahan, CEO for Stoney Nakoda Holdings, echoed his comments.
“Economic development planning has been stated as a priority of the tribal council for several years now and land designation is part of that,” said Carnahan.
“One of the things that people have always said is we see development happening all around us, we see Canmore growing, we see Cochrane growing and we deserve to be a part of it.”
She stressed if the referendum is successful, the land will keep its reserve status regardless of whether there’s development on it or not.
“It’s extremely important that people understand that the designated land does not lose its reserve status.”
By setting aside land for development, the nation hopes to generate some much needed revenue to help pay for programs such as housing, utilities, funerals and per capita expenses. It also hopes to create jobs for those who live on the reserve.
“Economic development is not just about revenue, it’s about jobs as well,” said Carnahan. “Creating jobs in the community improves the outcome and the future for young people. It leads to greater independence and that’s extremely important to the council.”
According to Carnahan, since the last land designation in 2002, which set aside land for the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino, 140 jobs have been created on the reserve, including jobs at other nation-owned businesses.
In the past, the nation relied heavily on revenues generated from natural gas, however, with the fall in prices, those revenues quickly dried up.
According to figures provided to the public, band revenue from natural gas has fallen from $70 million in 2008/2009 to $8 million in 2016/2017.
As a result, several years ago the tribal council began looking at ways to generate new sources of revenue, including setting aside land for economic development.
“We had to start thinking outside the box,” said Mark. “We’ve been heavily dependent on oil and gas for so many years and, as we all know, oil and gas could dry up at any time, so this is a different avenue we decided we needed to pursue.”
The seven parcels of land include three sites that are already used for commercial activity, such as the Chiniki Cultural Centre and gas bar, located along the Transl-Canada Highway and Chiniki Lake Road.
Two other locations include a parcel of land along the Bow River bordering the western boundary of the reserve, as well as a large tract of land bordering the town of Cochrane. Two parcels of land could also be set aside in Eden Valley and Bighorn.
Together, the seven sites account for approximately 7,400 acres, or less than seven per cent of the reserve’s land.
In addition to generating more revenue and creating jobs, Carnahan said it’s also an opportunity to support local entrepreneurs and create more services on the reserve.
She declined to speculate about what types of development could occur if the community votes in favour of the referendum.
“One of the things that we’ve stressed with the community is that this is step one on the pathway to economic development planning,” said Carnahan. “The next step after this is looking at the sites, working with the community and together figuring out what are the best things for these lands.”
She said the first priority with any development would be to identify cultural sites that need to be protected and then look at putting together a community plan for the lands.
She also explained that any designated lands can be undesignated by a band council resolution as long as it’s not leased for development.
Despite assertions it will create more jobs and generate much needed revenue for the reserve, not everyone in the community is on board.
Rachel Snow, an Indigenous legal consultant and concerned band member, said her community was only given six weeks to consider the implications of the referendum.
“They posted the notice on January 3 and the vote is on February 15; that’s only six weeks,” said Snow. “Six weeks isn’t a long time to get 6,000 people up to speed.”
Mark acknowledged her concerns, but said they were following INAC’s rules and regulations, which requires the government to post a notice about a referendum 42 days before the vote and at least 14 days before an information meeting. Three information meetings were held in Morley, Eden Valley and Bighorn over the past two weeks.
Snow said she also doesn’t have a lot of faith the economic impact will be evenly felt across the reserve.
“This economic development plan sounds good, but the reality is that it’s just talk,” said Snow, who plans to vote against the referendum. “It will succeed for a few.”
According to Snow, historically any jobs that have been created on the reserve were often given to friends and family of those who are elected.
Angela Kaquitts, who was unsuccessful in her bid to become Chiniki chief in the last election, agreed.
“A lot of people are blacklisted because they stand up to chief and council,” said Kaquitts.
Mark said any future jobs would be available to all community members regardless of their band.
“Everyone should be treated equally,” said Mark. “It doesn’t matter, regardless of which band you are, if you perform, if you went to school, if you did your training, if you deserve to be there, then you deserve the job.”
Carnahan also emphasized the revenue generated from lease agreements would be money for the entire band.
“The reserve land is held on behalf of everyone, on behalf of all three nations,” said Carnahan. “The lease revenue is treated as band funds earned on behalf of the Stoney Nakoda Nation ... so everybody benefits from the lease revenue.”
Along with designating seven new parcels of land, if the referendum is approved it will extend the current 2002 designation for the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino by an additional 99 years to 2117. Before anything can happen, the minister for INAC must approve the results of the referendum, which could take another three months.
To vote in the referendum, you must be a member of the Bearspaw, Chiniki or Wesley First Nation, at least 18 years of age as of Feb. 15 and not disqualified from voting in First Nation elections.
The referendum will be considered successful if it is approved by a simple majority of those who vote. In other words, a majority of those who vote must vote in favour of the designation for it to proceed. There is no requirement for a 50 per cent plus one result.
Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 15 at the Morley Community School gym, at Ta’Otha School gym in Bighorn and at Chief Jacob Bearspaw Memorial School gym.
For more information on the land designation, visit www.stoneynakoda.com.
