Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County and Driftpile Cree Nation have formed a special economic partnership.
At its regular meeting April 9, council agreed to participate in the First Nation – Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) with Driftpile Cree Nation from April 9, 2025 to March 15, 2027.
Council then appointed Grouard Councillor Jeff Chalifoux, CAO David Reynolds and grants officer Samantha Smith to the CEDI working group and that Joussard Councillor Richard Mifflin be appointed as an alternate member.
In November 2024, Driftpile and Big Lakes committed to participating in the First Nation-Municipal CEDI until March 2027, said Joe Zdeb, director of corporate services.
“Together, our communities are also committed to an improved community-to-community relationship through the establishment of a joint working group,” Zdeb added.
“The working group will support the partnership with relationship-building and identifying and planning for joint community economic development.
“The mandate of Driftpile Cree Nation and Big Lakes County Working Group is to achieve the CEDI program goals of building the capacity of elected officials and staff to identify, prioritize, plan for, and implement joint community economic development initiatives while developing a resilient, sustainable partnership.”
To achieve the CEDI program goals, the third-party “Stronger Together” process and facilitation support will be provided by the CEDI team from June 2024 and March 2027.
“After that time, the long-term relationship and joint initiatives will continue, led jointly by Driftpile Cree Nation and Big Lakes County and administered by the approved working group,” Zdeb told council.
First Nations and municipalities across the country share many common hopes and challenges, he noted.
The partnership supports Big Lakes’ strategic plan.
“By identifying and capitalizing on emerging opportunities, Big Lakes County council aims to diversify the economy, create jobs and stimulate innovation to ensure sustained growth and prosperity,” Zdeb stated.
Working group leaders and elected officials from Big Lakes and Driftpile must meet monthly.
The working group will also organize ongoing community engagement to keep the community informed about the CEDI program, the local partnership and joint community economic development initiatives.