First Edition of a newsletter ALIF developed for SLFN.

1. SMITH’S LANDING FIRST NATION
NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 29, 2016
SMITH’S LANDING FIRST NATION
RECEIVES FUNDING FOR
TRANS CANADA TRAIL
TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS WILL CREATE JOBS FOR COMMUNITY
The Trans Canada Trail will
soon safely connect Fort
Smith with the country’s
24,000 kms trail system.
ALIF Partners worked with
Smith’s Landing First
Nation community
members to help secure
money from Alberta
TrailNet to build bridges on
the historic DesNethe Trail
along the Slave River to
help travellers travel safely
along the path. Due to deterioration along parts of the trail, changes to the path
will mean travellers on Canada’s trail system in the area will be able to travel from
Fort Fitzgerald to the Town of Fort Smith safely on land.
The approved funding for the construction of the bridges will mean new jobs for
the community. Improvements to the 27 km section of the DesNethe trail is also
expected to bring in tourists to the area, which could also mean tourism dollars for
the community.
WORKING WITH THE
COMMUNITY TO PLAN AHEAD
DECIDING ON DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Thanks to input from the community, ALIF Partners
was able to work with Smith’s Landing First Nation
members and band chief and council to establish
opportunities for developing the local economy.
Work started in October 2015, as Smith’s Landing
First Nation worked with ALIF Partners to host
talking circles, a listening campaign and a review
of the community to find out the priorities of
Smith’s Landing First Nation band members. More
than 80 suggestions were provided, with topics
such as Myers Lake to the pellet mills to survival
camps discussed in group meetings.
The band and council have decided on three
priorities to move ahead with. Those priorities are
the Band Development Co-op, the Multi-Purpose
Community Wellness Centre and tourism.
ALIF Partners worked with the community to
create an action plan for each of the three priorities
chosen by the community.
Town of
Fort Smith
Fort
Fitzgerald

2. How will the three priorities (a BDC, a
community wellness centre and tourism)
provided by the band enhance Smith’s
Landing First Nation? It will help provide:
• More jobs
• More businesses
• More services to the community
HOW DOES THIS
ALL FIT TOGETHER?
Governance tour: ALIF Partners has organized a tour for Smith’s Landing
First Nation band council members to visit six First Nations. The purpose
of the tour is to learn how other First Nations are using their community
wellness centres; to learn how other First Nation band councils are work-
ing to recruit businesses and how other First Nations are attracting tour-
ists to their communities. We will provide updates and more information
after the tour in future newsletters.
Band Development Corporation/Co-op (BDC): A Band Development
Corporation or Co-op is a special kind of company setup by the band
council to help attract more businesses to the community. A BDC in
Smith’s Landing First Nation could help bring in more jobs, provide help in
getting a business loan or could help bring in more businesses to the
area. The governance tour will help band chief and council look at what
BDCs at other First Nations are doing well and what could work in Smith’s
Landing First Nation.
Multi-Purpose Community Wellness Centre: The governance tour will
also help band council members research which services would be best
for the Smith’s Landing First Nation multi-purpose community wellness
centre. The centre would be a place for the community to gather and
access specific services needed in the area. Some examples of services
found in other community wellness centres include children and youth
programs like cooking lessons or homework help but also classes on First
Aid and traditional arts as some examples.
Tourism: Following the governance tour, Smith’s Landing First Nation
chief and council will create a list of potential tourist attractions and
programs for the community. ALIF Partners will review and help determine
which tourism projects would be best for the community.
•
•
•
•
COMING UPFIND OUT WHAT IS IN THE WORKS FOR
SMITH’S LANDING FIRST NATION
How crucial is the Band Development
Corporation/Co-op (BDC)?
It is the foundation to bringing in more jobs for
the community by recruiting businesses
long-term
It will also help the community get the services
and buildings the community wants
It would also help keep political and
development projects separate
The role of the BDC is also crucial in
developing tourism projects to help bring
tourism dollars to Smith’s Landing First Nation
•
•
•
•