BATTLEFORD - A partnership between the Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation and CORCAN, which is a rehabilitation program of Correctional Service of Canada, has been struck to build ready-to-move homes.
The grand opening of this partnership took place Monday, just off of Highway 4 south at 16th Avenue in Battleford, at a show home.
According to their news release, CORCAN is a program offering employment training and employability skills to offenders in federal institutions. It uses on the job training to help offenders develop on-the-job training that prepares them for jobs in the trades, and also practise valuable employability skills including reliability, time management and working with others.
“We’re here to bring hope and help,” said Kelly Hardle, CEO of CORCAN, at the grand opening. “We’re here to work together, for our program participants, for more community members, to teach skills so that more of these houses can be built and they can be turned into homes.”
This is the latest initiative for MGBHLM Economic Development, which has been active in a number of economic projects recently.
In a span of just two years MGBHLM Economic Development has expanded to seven companies and three non-profits under its umbrella. Among those non-profits is The Ridge Wellness Centre, located on land purchased by MGBHLM from the Oblates, which opened in May 2021.
Chief Tanya Stone of MGBHLM First Nation touted the benefits of economic development for the First Nation.
“Two years ago, we didn’t have economic development and look where it’s come,” said Chief Stone.
Grant Beaudry, CEO of MGBHLM Economic Development Corporation, noted the growth of economic development on the reserve as well as the training and employment they have delivered to their membership.
“When we first started, there was just the two of us in economic development,” sad Beaudry. “Today we have 77 employees, 65 of which are First Nations membership.”
Beaudry said he had worked with Corrections Canada a year earlier and pitched to them the idea of working together to build homes.
More developments are in the works for Mosquito, including plans for an interpretative cultural centre on the ridge to tell the story of their history.
“I see economic development as an opportunity to partner together with other businesses, other people, other nations, with the city, the town and the RM,” said Chris Odishaw, who is on the board of directors for MGBHLM. “There’s so much work that we’re going to do that’s in the plans.”
