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Home , Flin Flon, Jans Bay, Kinoosao, Lac la Ronge, Missinipe

Churchill River Enterprise Region

Overview The east central region has 20 communities, and Athabasca over 12,000 residents. More than 80% of the residents are of Aboriginal ancestry (Cree, Dene, and Métis); historically the communities are home to the Cree. The key industries are Boreal mining, tourism, forestry, commercial services West and non-timber forest products (wild rice and commercial fishing). The public sector is a major employer in the region. Churchill River Demographics Source: Health Covered Population 2007 • Total population*: 11,590 • Aboriginal population (%): 81.1% • Youth population, 15 to 29 (%): 25.4% • Major languages: Cree, English, Dene • Participation rate (15+): 61.0% • Employment rate (15+): 51.0% • Unemployment rate (15+): 16.3% • Population15+ with a high school diploma: 17.8% • Population 15+ with a trades, college, or university certificate, diploma, or degree: 32.4%

Economy Key Industries

Mining and Exploration: Mining is a key economic driver in central east Saskatchewan. In addition to being “home” to Saskatchewan’s only gold mine, Seabee, a new graphite mine is being developed near Southend. Companies are exploring for gold near and , and diamonds north of Prince Albert. Northern residents also benefit from the mining industry in the Athabasca region via direct jobs and other spin-off opportunities. The Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company employs approximately 290 northerners, it is located in , , and Creighton, Saskatchewan. The potential expansion of an existing dolomite quarry in Deschambault Lake is also being explored. As well, sand quarrying and processing exists at Hanson Lake.

Forestry: The forestry industry continues to operate in an unstable and uncertain environment due to weak US housing demand, softwood market disputes and the Domtar closure in Prince Albert. The Zelensky/Kitsaki Sawmill at La Ronge has laid off almost all workers. Agriculture: Several agricultural activities take place in the region, including greenhouse and cattle operations. Potential activities also include market gardens at Cumberland House and Sturgeon Landing where cleared land and better soils are already available.

Commercial Services: The commercial services centre is closely tied to economic cycles in mining, forestry, and construction. Northern companies provide a variety of business services to northern mines, service the tourism industry, and transport forestry products. In the north central region, La Ronge serves as a service hub for outlying communities, and provides accommodation, banking, and retail, medical, legal, and business services. Creighton serves as a service hub for eastern outlying communities, and provides accommodation, banking, and retail, medical, legal and business services.

Tourism: Vacationers can take advantage of many tourist opportunities in the Churchill River’s region, including fishing lodges, hunting lodges, sightseeing (Meridian Lake limestone crevices, Fishing Lake Eskers, Houseboat tours), and wilderness experiences. La Ronge, as well as Creighton have golf courses. The freshwater lakes in the Churchill River region attract a number of visitors from afar.

Major Employers • Indian Band • Province of Saskatchewan • Mamawetan Churchill River Health Authority • Montreal Lake Cree Nation • Hudson Bay Smelting • Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation

Businesses The Northern Saskatchewan Business Directory identifies 333 businesses in the Churchill River region.

The northern lenders that service the region include: • Northern Development Fund, Ministry of and Métis Relations • Visions North Community Futures Development Corporation • Conexus Credit Union • CIBC • Northern Enterprise Fund Inc. • And many others not based within the region (e.g. Clarence Campeau Development Fund) • Northern Enterprise Fund Inc.

Training and Education

Post-secondary institutions Several post-secondary institutions exist in the region, located in La Ronge, and include: • Northlands College • NORTEP/NORPAC • First Nations University of • University of the Arctic • Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission Office

2 FNMR-Northern Affairs Div. 02/04/2012 Churchill River Enterprise Region Northlands College offers off-campus Arts and Science program for the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina through SCN sites in La Ronge. One post-secondary institution, Northlands College is located in Creighton also.

Northlands College offers off-campus Arts and Science program for the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina.

Career and Employment Services Saskatchewan Advanced Education, Employment and Labour’s CanSask has one office in La Ronge, and Creighton to offer employment services. As well, services are provided in , Cumberland House, and Sandy Bay on a contractual basis. Other education and employment connections agencies in the region (all located in La Ronge) include: Northern Industrial Career Centre; Gary Tinker Federation for the Disabled; Keewatin Career Development Corporation; Northern Career Quest; – Post Secondary Education and Training.

High School Grade 12 is offered in most of the region’s communities. A few of the surrounding communities (Brabant, Grandmother’s Bay, , Sucker River, and ) can choose to commute or board their children, paid by either the school division or Prince Albert Grand Council. Creighton, Cumberland House, and Sandy Bay are three communities that have access to grade 12 through the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC): Cumberland House, Pelican Narrows, and Deschambeault Lake. PAGC also offers classes to grade 7 in Sturgeon Landing.

Infrastructure

Transportation All Churchill River communities are accessible by road, and some can be reached by air transportation. The two main provincial highways that connect the region are Highways 2 and 102. A road connects to , Manitoba. The highway to Creighton is east, the turnoff from highway 102, it is gravel road. Creighton (Hanson Lake Road, #106 and #107, Cumberland House (Highway 123), (Highway 167), Pelican Narrows (Highway 135), Sandy Bay (Highway 135) and Sturgeon Landing (via Highway 10, Manitoba).

The airstrips in the region are located in La Ronge, Missinipe (private), Creighton, Cumberland House, , Little Bear Lake, Meridian Creek, Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay, Schist Lake, and Sturgeon Landing.

Information Technology All but four communities (Missinipe, Timber Bay, , and Kinoosao) in the Churchill River region have access to high speed basic internet. The Northern Broadband Network has resulted in expanded information technology services to the region.

All communities, except Missinipe, have public access to high speed internet through Community Access Centres. The centre provides access with on-line education, e-commerce, and community services.

Power 3 FNMR-Northern Affairs Div. 02/04/2012 Churchill River Enterprise Region SaskPower provides for many communities, and natural gas is in the process to many communities as well. A hydroelectric dam exists at Island Falls.

First Nations Presence

Grand Council: Prince Albert Grand Council • LLRIB - Lac La Ronge Indian Band (Brabant Lake, Grandmother’s Bay, Hall Lake, La Ronge, Stanley Mission and Sucker River) • MLCN - Montreal Lake Cree Nation (Montreal Lake) • LLRIB and MLCN also both have membership living on the Little Red reserve, situated south of the Northern Administration District (NAD). • Cumberland House Cree Nation (Cumberland House) • Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (sections of reserve are located in: Denare Beach; Deschambault; Kinoosao; Pelican Narrows; Sandy Bay; Sturgeon Landing and urban reserve land within the City of Prince Albert)

Métis Nations Presence

Métis Council: Northern Region 1 • Regional President: Al Rivard (La Ronge) Eastern Region 1 • Regional President: Leonard D. Morin (Cumberland House)

4 FNMR-Northern Affairs Div. 02/04/2012 Churchill River Enterprise Region