Partnership Background
Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. (BATC) is a tribal council that includes membership from seven Nations which include Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, Moosomin First Nation, Red Pheasant Cree Nation, Sweetgrass First Nation, Stoney Knoll First Nation, Saulteaux First Nation and Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation. The City of North Battleford and the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs are located in Treaty 6 Territory, northwest of Saskatoon.
Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs and the City of North Battleford participated in the CEDI program during Phase II as a part of Cycle I from 2016 – 2019.
Key Milestones and Collaborative Community Economic Development Initiatives
The partnership drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Joint Indigenous Employment Strategy in December of 2017 and was passed by each council. Prior to this, as part of Workshop 3, the partnership met for a “Fall Feast” which included a dinner and dialogue to celebrate the partnership.
1. Joint Regional Economic Development Agreement (JREDA)
With support from the CEDI capacity building grant, the Working Group hired and co-managed a consultant to draft a Joint Regional Economic Development Agreement (JREDA) between BATC and the City of North Battleford. Two CEDI Champions worked collaboratively to recruit and guide the consultant, while the CEDI team provided additional support by drafting Terms of Reference, preparing background documents, assisting with RFP outreach, and participating in the selection and onboarding process. A joint RFP was issued in January 2019, and by June 2019, the communities co-hosted a workshop to review the first draft of the JREDA and explore further opportunities for collaboration.
2. Inclusive Workforce Initiative-Joint Indigenous Employment Strategy (JIES)
The Joint Indigenous Employment Strategy (JIES), finalized in February 2018, launched with Phase 1: a Work Experience Initiative, that provided eight BATC members with a six-week placement at the City of North Battleford, one of whom was later hired full-time. Building on this success, all eight participants were offered opportunities to continue through Phase 2, which focused on seasonal hiring from May to September 2018. The partnership’s innovative approach and collaboration were recognized with two awards, including the 2018 Affinity Credit Union Economic Partnership Award at a conference in Saskatoon, jointly held by Saskatchewan Economic Development Association (SEDA) and the Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network (SFNEDN).
3. Urban Reserve Development in North Battleford Guidelines
The partnership deepened their learning by participating in the Blanket Exercise together and hosting guest presenters on Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) developments and Friendship Accords in Saskatchewan. Building on this foundation, they hired a consultant with support from the CEDI Capacity Development Grant to draft Urban Reserve Development Guidelines, as recommended in the JREDA. Completed in November 2019, this legacy document was shared with BATC Chiefs and staff, City Council, and administration, with potential for future collaboration and publication through the Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network.
4. Moving Forward Together: Final CEDI Reflections
The partnership created a legacy document, Moving Forward Together: CEDI Final Reflections, as a teaching and learning tool that captures the milestones, challenges, and lessons learned from the BATC–City of North Battleford partnership in the CEDI program. In November 2019, they co-hosted the final CEDI Working Group meeting, where the summary report was reviewed and formally approved.
In the Media
- December 23, 2016: City and BATC join forces on economic development
- April 13, 2017: Economic development working group one step closer
- April 3, 2018: City, BATC launch joint Indigenous employment strategy
- May 3, 2018: City, BATC honoured with economic partnership award
- Apr 14, 2020: Cooperation a key to Battlefords area success during COVID-19
Photo Gallery
Quotes
"The Community Economic Development Initiative provides the First Nations and the City of North Battleford with the opportunity to acknowledge each other's contributions and to value the sustainability and growth of the local economy. This continues to be the common denominator in our partnered success while continuing to eliminate barriers such as racism through a process of reconciliation of the past and a cultural understanding of each other.”
“We are honoured to partner with BATC on the CEDI initiative to increase cultural understanding and build stronger relationships. We wish to respectfully work together in friendship for economic benefit. To date, we have identified common priorities and economic development initiatives that we will collaborate on, to share in success as we move our region forward as one.”