It’s a first for a First Nation in Saskatchewan.
The Little Black Bear First Nation recently opened the first Aboriginal owned Tim Hortons franchise in the province.
It is part of a Petro-Canada located in the Qu’Appelle Valley, about 70 km northeast of Regina just west of Fort Qu’Appelle.
Chief Clarence Bellegarde says it accomplishes a lot more than just providing gas and coffee to motorists.
“We wanted to do businesses that generated wealth, number one,” he says. “And, number two, we wanted to create employment opportunities for our people and both businesses here achieve both those things.”
Bellegarde says plans for the franchise have been in the works for 10 years.
He says the project means jobs, economic opportunity and local pride.
He also says it will help build the band’s reputation as a place to do business.
Chief Bellegarde says the band’s economic strategy is to open a new business every year for the next number of years.