gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge
gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge
gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge
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een added to the local economy that has <strong>in</strong> the process become both a local tourist attraction<br />
and a source <strong>of</strong> local accomplishment and pride.<br />
The goal is to improve the CLFN economy so that there are more opportunities for members to<br />
be active <strong>in</strong> the local economy. With more money available for hous<strong>in</strong>g, band members are<br />
mov<strong>in</strong>g back to the CLFN from the City <strong>of</strong> Cold Lake. This has technically freed up hous<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
other First Nations <strong>in</strong>dividuals choos<strong>in</strong>g to rema<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> the city. Three years ago, however, the<br />
City <strong>of</strong> Cold Lake was <strong>in</strong> the midst <strong>of</strong> an affordable hous<strong>in</strong>g crisis. The CLFN partnered with the<br />
Samson Cree Nation, establish<strong>in</strong>g a jo<strong>in</strong>t venture that looked to br<strong>in</strong>g benefits to both First<br />
Nations through a proposed <strong>in</strong>itiative <strong>of</strong> 50 lots for sale to the open market. Additional benefits<br />
realized <strong>in</strong>clude the current pav<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> Mission Road, reduc<strong>in</strong>g dust and improv<strong>in</strong>g the road<br />
surface for pedestrians and bicyclists. A regular meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> all CLFN bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities and<br />
private entrepreneurs occurs to discuss and plan future community developments and to<br />
evaluate <strong>in</strong>vestment opportunities.<br />
A review <strong>of</strong> the FNDF for the past four years <strong>in</strong>dicates several economic development projects<br />
<strong>in</strong>itiated by the Cold Lake First Nations. The FNDF provided $200,000 for the Primco Dene<br />
Project, which supplies cater<strong>in</strong>g and emergency services for remote work camps; a lumber<br />
company purchased prior to cas<strong>in</strong>o operations is be<strong>in</strong>g used to produce lumber needed for<br />
home construction aided by cas<strong>in</strong>o dollars. In anticipation <strong>of</strong> cas<strong>in</strong>o-related local economic<br />
development, the band also purchased 960 acres <strong>of</strong> freehold land around Cold Lake for<br />
commercial and economic development (Ohler, 2007).<br />
K<strong>in</strong>uso Communications was established to develop community based wireless Internet<br />
communications followed by an upgrade <strong>of</strong> local wireless and Internet access. The band council<br />
established a log home manufactur<strong>in</strong>g operation and tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g program to develop local capacity<br />
needed to improve reserve hous<strong>in</strong>g. A number <strong>of</strong> new hous<strong>in</strong>g developments and home<br />
renovations occurred. The FNDF has provided more than $2.5 million to aid these efforts. A day<br />
care was built, a gift and souvenir shop constructed, and more than $250,000 was directed to<br />
improv<strong>in</strong>g community <strong>in</strong>frastructure. In total, $480,000 was provided to develop a 12-lot<br />
residential hous<strong>in</strong>g subdivision <strong>in</strong> the Town <strong>of</strong> Cold Lake, portable camp hous<strong>in</strong>g for emergency<br />
hous<strong>in</strong>g was also purchased, and money was directed to assist the Cold Lake Oil and Gas<br />
Company with project fund<strong>in</strong>g. F<strong>in</strong>ally, CLFN purchased three new water trucks.<br />
New hous<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>itiatives are help<strong>in</strong>g the community meet its hous<strong>in</strong>g needs. The English Bay<br />
Community Centre opened <strong>in</strong> 2008 and serves as a community meet<strong>in</strong>g site and for hold<strong>in</strong>g<br />
conferences, forums, and meet<strong>in</strong>gs. The FNDF revenues are be<strong>in</strong>g utilized to drive a five-year<br />
master plan lead<strong>in</strong>g to opportunities enabl<strong>in</strong>g members to lead more active and healthier<br />
lifestyles. So are charitable revenues, which have been used to purchase six canoes for the<br />
program. Also, a Dene language coord<strong>in</strong>ator was recently hired, as was an Education Director<br />
to oversee local education development <strong>in</strong> response to the chief and council’s prioritization on<br />
experimental learn<strong>in</strong>g (Cold Lake Sun, 2008).<br />
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