Unlocking Potential: Community Collaboration in the Development of Eagles Landing

Regional Synergies webinars explore rural and Indigenous economic development partnerships — how neighbouring communities come together to create opportunities.  

Eagles Landing, a 357-acre development, was the first urban reserve in Saskatchewan to be granted its own neighbourhood within the limits of a city. Red Pheasant Cree Nation owns the land and is working with the City of North Battleford to eventually build around 150 acres of commercial development, 100 acres of residential, 50 acres of industrial, and 50 acres of parks and recreation space.  To date, these partners have developed a gas bar, and are constructing a 17-unit retail project that will include the city’s first Starbucks. 

In this webinar, we’ll hear from leaders involved in this project about how it came to be, how the parties are collaborating, and how, by working together, communities can create lasting economic change that benefits everyone. 

The webinar takes place at 10 a.m. (Mountain Time) on Friday, August 16th.

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Marie Adam has been the Director of Education with Red Pheasant Cree Nation for the past three years. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with distinction in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in education and is currently completing her master’s in educational administration. Her lineage is with the Starblanket Cree Nation and is a member of the Poundmaker Cree Nation. She has worked in the fields of education, special education, and educational leadership for several years. In her past role as the General Manager for Saskatoon Tribal Council Urban Services for ten years, she gained a unique skill set, specializing in successful funding applications across governments and various departments. In addition, throughout her past as a business owner, Federal and First Nation government consultant, proposal writer, mother, and grandmother, these skills have been enhanced. She has acted in the capacity of Project Manager lead on infrastructure, business planning, and proposal writing for the Red Pheasant North Battleford Land Project for the past 6 years. Her goal is to see successful businesses on the Red Pheasant urban lands, a residential area, and an innovative modern new school for the North Battleford area, that focuses on respecting and teaching the traditional First Nation Culture.

 

Tanya LaRose Realty Prof Corp brings a rich network of community contacts throughout western Canada, in both the residential and commercial industry. Since 2014, she has received numerous accolades for community contributions including the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Community Building, the #1 Individual in Saskatchewan for Donations to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, the inaugural Innovator in Residence at SIIT, and the Royal LePage Top 2% Award for sales production in Canada. She has also spoken by invitation on CBC National Radio as a real estate industry expert in 2016. In 2024, Tanya was invited by the Colorado Association of Realtors to speak on an expert Diversity Panel regarding Indigenous inclusion in real estate. Tanya LaRose Realty Prof Corp is the Indigenous, female-owned business that assisted Red Pheasant First Nation in being the debut First Nation in Saskatchewan to open up their own 350+ acre neighbourhood (Eagles Landing) within city limits (North Battleford) in October of 2023.

 

Jan Swanson provides vision, fosters enthusiasm and common purpose in those he leads.  He is experienced in economic development, business planning and consulting, project management, strategic planning, corporate training, and business operations. Jan holds a Bachelor of Administration from the University of Regina and was certified as a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Master Consultant from the University of Minnesota, followed by additional certification through BRE International. Jan worked in business and economic development for over 25 years with the provincial government.  He led or participated in numerous public and private partnerships to enhance collaboration, for consultation and feedback on new directions and current services. He was the executive sponsor for a Lean Small Business Loans Association Kaizen, Upon the request of the Premier of Saskatchewan, he led a Business Centre initiative in Ukraine. Jan was the Executive in charge of the BREI International Conference held in Saskatoon Saskatchewan in 2012.  He was also responsible provincially for the development of a Business Succession/Transition program and an Entrepreneurial Development System. Jan then spent 8 years with EAON Executive Business Coaches providing coaching and business planning services before joining the City of North Battleford as its Economic Development Manager in November of 2022.

“Heather and the team at Co-operatives First are top-notch. Not only their knowledge but their understanding of the project. They have truly helped us along every step of the way. Their timely response and knowledge of the steps are extraordinary. They are forthcoming with information. This is one of the most knowledgeable and friendliest teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Weyburn Theatre

“Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.”

Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

“Our experience working with the Co-operatives First team was absolutely fabulous. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and patient. It was truly a breath of fresh air to have such a wealth of skill and resources available to a non-profit. They were invaluable to our successful launch!”

Heart Linked Community Services Cooperative

“Working with Co-operatives First was fantastic! We are still new to the cooperative world, and we relied heavily on their advice and expertise when drafting our rules/bylaws, and our memorandum of association. The team has experience with many different cooperative models, so they provided advice on what has and hasn’t worked for other cooperatives. We wouldn’t have been able to incorporate without their help!”

Ananda Cooperative

“We have had a very positive experience with everyone at Co-operatives First. They have helped us in multiple ways. Right from the first step in knowing how to incorporate, how to set our business and offering ideas for us to help steer us in the right direction plus allowing us to really make our own decisions. If our decisions go off track, they have gently guided us back to where we needed to be. The Co-operatives first guys are always eager to answer questions, and give ideas to us that got us off the ground.”

South East Butcher Block