Stoney Nakoda, town take major step in building relationship
By: Noel Edey
Date: March 4, 2025
Source: Cochrane Now
Representatives of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney First Nations, the Stoney Tribal Administration, and the Town of Cochrane are committed to building upon a foundation laid over the last three years through the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI).
The proclamation reflects a joint commitment to annual meetings of councils, meetings of senior administrative staff, and the establishment of protocols to foster transparent and respectful communication.
“I would like to acknowledge and applaud the team that we have tasked to do what they have done today so far,” says Chiniki Chief Aaron Young, “and that is basically going forward and listening to one another and listening to both sides’ differences as we recognize the need to develop a stronger relationship, because we’ve always been a half-hour away, and we’ve always been here.”
He says it’s suiting to have signed the proclamation now.
“It so happens that we’re coming into spring, and spring means new growth. This relationship between Cochrane and Stoneys will grow our prosperity and allow each other to enhance our economic development endeavors.” Chiniki Chief Aaron Young
“If we need to talk to the Alberta government, I’m hoping that Cochrane and us can move forward in an envelope that will prosper our communities.”
Bearspaw Chief Darcy Dixon says understanding how each community operates will now allow them to work collectively on common issues and interests.
“In the past, the town would try to reach out to our nations, and they didn’t really know who to call, and now they do. And today we kind of know how the town’s government structure works, how the mayor and his council work, and vice versa, so there’s a little bit of a better understanding of some of the processes that are in place.” Bearspaw Chief Darcy Dixon
Bearspaw is known for being highly active with economic development and Chief Dixon doesn’t rule out investments in Cochrane or working on joint projects with the town.
“Just by being in this process and with what we’ve done here today with the proclamation and getting to meet the town over the last few years, I think it opened up the door to see what areas of perhaps economic development the town may need or maybe want to partner on, and visa versa.”
Goodstoney Nation Councillor Krista Hunter sees it as a positive starting point.
“On behalf of Goodstoney and Chief Poucette we are honored to be here again in terms of continuing our relationship. There’s a lot of work ahead of us, but it’s good that we’re here,” she says.
“We did a pipe ceremony today and I think that shows a lot that the working relationship and respecting and honoring each other’s areas. Moving forward, learning to work together in coexistence, I think that’s the key here, but also to talk about economic development.”
– Goodstoney Councillor Krista Hunter
“What does economic development look like for our nations and Cochrane? I think there are a lot of opportunities with everything changing all the time. And then with what’s going on in the world with costs and everything, I think it’s time that we start to learn how to work together.”
Despite growing up in Cochrane, Mayor Jeff Genung says the disconnect between Cochrane and Stoney Nakoda was clear when he became mayor, and he wanted to see that change.
“It’s not that we’re not friendly, but we didn’t have a relationship with Stoney Nakoda. This program has allowed us to be around the same table for three years, and just get to know one another. I’ve learned a tonne, and have way more to learn.”
He says there was always a feeling of uncertainty about reaching out.
“I was reluctant to reach out to people. I’d worried that I’d say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing. Essentially, we broke that down and we got to know each other as human beings and learn about one another’s protocols and culture, and just who to pick up the phone and talk to when we need something.” Mayor Jeff Genung
Cochrane and Stoney Nakoda are a lot closer on the map than many people realize.
“It’s kind of funny when you take a look at where the town is situated and where the nation’s boundaries are,” says Chief Dixon. “When you go straight west on the George Fox Trail, a lot of people don’t realize that you just jump over the fence and you’re in the nation.”
The proclamation follows three years of learning and relationship-building through the national program delivered jointly by the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
One of the first joint initiatives was jointly presenting a “Building Relationships Traditional Pow Wow” on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in 2023.
Find the full article here.