5Buds Cannabis to Open Stores in Warman, North Battleford, and Yorkton
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Fall 2018 In This Issue: • Message from the 5Buds Cannabis to open stores in Warman, CEO and Board Chair North Battleford, and Yorkton • PIC Investment Group Inc. and Athabasca “To our knowledge, a group of multiple Basin Development First Nations-owned investment companies LP acquire Long Lake have not come together for a partnership Insurance quite like this before,” says Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development. “We are four • Giving Back strong investment companies, and together, we are even stronger. We are excited about • ABS wins 2018 SABEX the opportunity this brings, not only in the Growth & Expansion cannabis industry, but also potentially to partner in other business areas in the future.” Award Prior to receiving a licence, a team was • Environmental Impact assembled that included experts in retail and a cannabis consulting firm. Responder Program “From the strength of the team we have • ABD’s Shauna Loewen assembled, as well as our combined experience with over thirty different is Team Lead for new companies that we collectively own, we have Cannabis Stores gained a solid understanding of the industry and what’s involved in opening and operating • “Don’t be a litterbug” a cannabis store,” says Ted De Jong, CEO of logo contest Prince Albert Development Corporation. The stores will open under the name of 5Buds • Changes to the Cannabis. The Warman store is tentatively Athabasca Basin scheduled to be open in late 2018, with Development Board Artist’s concept of store exterior the North Battleford and Yorkton locations of Directors following early in 2019. Cannabis Retail Licences Awarded To Saskatchewan “There is still much more work to be done,” Indigenous-Owned Investment Company says Trevor Ives, CEO of Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies, “however, we have This spring, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Nations in Saskatchewan. These four developed a foundation for a strong plan to Gaming Authority (SLGA) announced the investment companies together own over provide a professional and trusted location recipients of the retail cannabis selection 30 companies in various industries and for cannabis products. Our goal is to provide lottery process. Indigenous-owned Synergy are strongly positioned to leverage their an extraordinary experience to Saskatchewan Five Investments received licences in three experience and financial capacity to operate adult customers who are seeking high quality, cities: Warman, North Battleford, and Yorkton. successful cannabis stores. regulated and legal cannabis products.” Synergy Five Investments is a limited “We are very pleased with being awarded partnership with four partners with a licences in three Saskatchewan cities,” says successful track record. The limited partners Sean Willy, CEO of Des Nedhe Development. include Athabasca Basin Development, Des “These licences give us the opportunity to Nedhe Development, Peter Ballantyne Group participate in a brand-new industry that has of Companies and Prince Albert First Nations great potential to benefit our Indigenous Business Development, and shareholders shareholders across Saskatchewan.” include 13 different Saskatchewan First Athabasca Basin Development is continuing to look for new opportunities for investments – both to strengthen its existing investments as well as outside of its existing industries. “There are lots of opportunities out there and we are continuing to seek solid investment opportunities. I would encourage business owners who are looking at succession planning to consider us as a potential fit and to contact us to discuss opportunities – there may be a fit either with Athabasca Basin Development or with one of our investments.” Message from the CEO and Board Chair amazing efforts of all those who assisted in the rescue. stay on task to the original purpose given to us and Many members of the newly elected leadership were build economic growth for the region and it future brand new to their jobs, yet they lead their community generations. We continue to honour that original vision. members through an impossible event with courage We look for ways to give back to our communities. The and strength. Wollaston Lake Fastball Camp and the Beneath the Ice We would like to applaud the efforts of those who Northern tour are two new initiatives; we also continued organized the Healing Journey Gathering in Fond du our traditional sponsorship of Christmas in the North, Lac on June 13 and 14. Those events are important to the Athabasca Student Dinner, and the KCDC Fly-in acknowledge what happened, to provide tools to help Career Fair. You can read about all of these in this edition with the healing process, and to show the support of of the newsletter. Geoff Gay, CEO and Anne Robillard, Board Chair everyone around them. In the rest of this newsletter, we talk about growth This newsletter has traditionally been about company West Wind is now back to full operations. As a company and winning a growth and expansion award. And we news and Athabasca resident success stories. The Fond with ownership in West Wind, we are thankful for also talk about two new investments, insurance and du Lac plane crash is much different – it is a human story regulatory oversight that allowed West Wind to refocus cannabis, both of which are outside the mining industry of tragedy, loss and difficulty. The region lost one of its on best practice and our primary goal – safe operations. and have opportunity to continue to build prosperity for the Athabasca region. young men, Arson Fern Jr., just days after the accident One of the toughest things for us at Athabasca Basin and many other people had their lives altered. Development has been to continue with our other Our thoughts and prayers have been and continue The North has dealt with this event, that changed us all, operations in the months since the plane crash occurred, to be with the people who were on the plane, the with grace and surety. Each step that the passengers, given the enormity of the incident and the personal employees of West Wind Aviation, the community crew and their families have taken on their healing impact that it had on so many people. As a company of Fond du Lac, your families, and your friends, as you journey is important. We remain thankful for the owned by the Athabasca region, we know we must work towards healing. PIC Investment Group Inc. and Athabasca Basin Development LP acquire Long Lake Insurance The PIC Investment Group (PIC) and Athabasca Basin to have them continue on with us as we grow an exciting “Catherine and I thank our employees and customers for Development (ABD) announced the acquisition of Long new future for Long Lake,” said Greg Yuel, CEO of PIC their support over the past 20 years and we are looking Lake Insurance in October 2017. Investment. forward to the opportunities that the new ownership will provide them,” says Dan Mengel. “It is important Long Lake Insurance is a full service, independent The acquisition partners are hoping to help Long Lake’s to us that PIC and ABD will remain committed to the insurance brokerage providing products and services in growth strategy. “Basically, in the near term, nothing values that made Long Lake successful. A great place for the personal, business, and farm insurance sectors. Long will change at Long Lake except that there will be more employees to work, providing the best customer service Lake has offices in Imperial, Bethune, Holdfast, Craik opportunities for the companies,” says CEO of ABD Geoff and supporting our communities. We are happy to be and Chamberlain. Under the terms of the acquisition, Gay. “Long Lake will benefit from access to expanded able to work with them in the future.” Long Lake’s owners Dan and Catherine Mengel will potential markets. We will benefit from their expertise. continue to manage the company for at least one year. And, together, we will work to support the operations The PIC Investment Group is a family-owned company “We were interested in Long Lake because we liked the and continue to grow Long Lake’s success.” with a wide range of interests including industrial way Dan and Catherine were running it. We are grateful products, transportation and others. Long Lake Insurance would be pleased to have the opportunity to quote on your insurance requirements. Brandi and Patty are available to assist you over the phone or in-person – please contact them toll free at 1-888-669-5666. Long Lake is able to provide insurance for the following: • Automobile (including Classic & Antique Auto Insurance) • Home, Condo, Tenant • Farm (including Acreages) • Crop Hail Insurance • Business • Commercial Auto • Special Events • Blue Cross • Group Medical Insurance • Travel Insurance Giving Back “Building a Future Through Investment” is accomplished The event was sponsored by Indigenous Services with a total of 405 students seeing the play and 198 by building wealth for the Athabasca communities, Canada, Government of Saskatchewan, with Athabasca participating in the workshop. The students had the donations, community distributions, building a Basin Development, Points Athabasca, Prince Albert opportunity to see a professional play with a set that reputation, and building capacity. The key to making Grand Council, SITAG and Creative Fire providing in-kind was built specially to fit in the planes and brought all benefits possible is in building wealth for the contributions. to the schools from Saskatoon. After the play, older communities; without this foundation, the other Planning committee members are Joan Strong, PAGC, students were invited to attend an acting workshop benefits would not be possible. Here are a few recent Glen Strong, Points Athabasca, Ronelda Robillard, Hatchet with the actors. examples of the ways Athabasca Basin Development Lake, Tiffany Toutsaint, Fond du Lac, Terri-Lynn Beavereye, and its investments give back: Black Lake, Kristy Jackson, Athabasca Basin Development.