Gordon First Nation creates arms-length business board

The George Gordon First Nation says it’s becoming more business-friendly by creating a new, non-political board to oversee business decisions.

The reserve north of Regina has a population of about 1,100 people and an 80 per cent unemployment rate.

There are few job opportunities on the reserve, which has a school, the band office, a medical clinic, a retail centre with a gas station and a café. Chief Glen Pratt says there is potential for a gravel company and a potash mine on their land, but one of the roadblocks is high political turnover. Gordon has had three chiefs in the last six years.

"What companies I think get frustrated with is when there's a new chief and council," said Pratt. "It feels like they're starting over every two years and we don't want companies to have to go through that."

Pratt is already halfway through his two-year term as chief, with an election coming again sometime this spring. He wants the business board in place before then.

"We've modelled it after other communities that have had success and we've seen that whether it be Chief Clarence Louie from his community out in Osoyoos Indian Band or Chief [Tammy] Cook-Searson from her community in La Ronge," said Pratt.

Pratt said one of the key elements of the board will be keeping it separate from chief and council.

"We want our companies to know that we're partners for the long-term and that they'll have an organization they can partner with regardless of who the chief and council are," he said.

Gordon's board will consist of professional band members and people from the business community at large. Pratt says it will be in place sometime this fall.