Organizers are hoping a two-day meeting, which begins in Green Lake Wednesday, will serve as a catalyst to kick-start economic growth in northwestern Saskatchewan.
The first Westside Economic Development and Attraction Conference is drawing in stakeholders from communities such as Buffalo Narrows, Pinehouse and Ile-a-la Crosse.
Northwest Communities Management Company CEO and conference organizer, Nap Gardiner, says tourism remains one of the untapped resources of this part of the province.
“We want to pursue tourism in a manner that’s controlled and innovated and driven by Indigenous, Métis and First Nations people,” he said. “And there are significant tourism opportunities in the world and we want to take advantage of that.”
Gardiner adds renewable energy will be another topic of discussion.
“There is a lot of interest in the communities to pursue alternative energy sources because of the high cost of energy for services in their arenas, in their halls, in their water and sewer systems. We have brownouts and blackouts.”
The conference will feature a number keynote speakers, including First Nations Power Authority CEO Guy Lonechild and Green Lake Mayor Ric Richardson.
It closes on Thursday.
(PHOTO: Northwest Communities Management Company map. Photo courtesy of Northwest Communities Management Company.)