| Community Futures
Beaver River
Developing an Asset map for the La Loche Clearwater
Region and the community of Pinehouse
Community Futures Beaver River has completed
a project which developed an Asset map for the La Loche Clearwater
Region and in the community of Pinehouse.
This project was funded by the communities,
the Rural Secretariat, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the
Ministry of Advanced Education and Employment.
This project originated when the need to identify
the assets of the La Loche Clearwater Region was recognized. An
Integrated Regional Economic & Land Use Planning Process was
in place and several resource companies had started exploration
in this region.
The community of Pinehouse had many opportunities
with the mining companies in their region and the community
wanted to capitalize on these opportunities.
It was determined that these regions would benefit
by collecting the information currently available in their regions.
This information would include infrastructure, social/quality
of life, economic, natural and human capital, government and services
available in the region. This information would form an Asset
Map of the region.
Anticipated Results:
- To enable communities to present businesses
and entrepreneurs who recognize opportunities in the area with
an information sheet on the assets available to assist them
in bringing their opportunities to fruition.
- Act as a starting point for strategic planning,
community development and organizational development.
- To provide a deeper understanding of potential
linkages and act as a catalyst for partnerships.
- To provide a vehicle where people can explore
opportunities that may be available in their community.
- To be used to attract new residents to the
community.
- To provide another way for the community
to advertise itself to the outside world.
The Project Objectives:
1. To stimulate economic development and
learning which will allow Pinehouse and the La Loche region to
take advantage of opportunities that may arise due to increased
mineral, uranium and oilsands exploration and development.
Results:
- An exploration agreement was signed between
the Village of La Loche and Oilsands Quest Inc., this agreement
includes the other communities in the region.
- Strategic plans were developed in the region.
- An awareness of skill levels was raised
and work in this area has begun to work with industry to identify
what skills will be required in the future and work with the
colleges and training institutes to have those programs delivered
in the region.
- A Land use and economic plan is being developed.
2. To assess community assets that indicate
the natural, social, economic and service components of the community's
system.
Results:
- The work done with focus groups and community
leaders to develop this asset map has raised the level of awareness
of the assets of the region leading to increased community pride
and identity.
3. To encourage business and job opportunity
development in the La Loche and Pinehouse areas.
Results:
- The Village of Pinehouse has entered bids
on several mining projects.
- The La Loche region has increased the number
of jobs and contracts held in the oilsands exploration region.
- A coordinator will be hired to assist people
who wish to secure employment or contracts with mining and exploration
companies.
- An exploration company has built and opened
an office in the region and has hired two local people to act
as liaisons.
4. To develop an "asset" sheet
to use as a basis for community development decisions and to use
as a way to attract businesses to the area.
Results:
- An asset map has been developed and is available
on a website.
- Each community in the region has hard and
digital copies of the asset maps.
- This information has been made available
to the Integrated Regional Economic & Land Use Planning
Committee, Exploration companies and government.
- Community planning has resulted in paving
the street and beautifying the downtown core.
5. To create long term synergies between
the village of La Loche, the Northern Settlements, Pinehouse and
the businesses in the area.
Results:
- A LDC has been formed. Dazi Dene Suline Local
Development Corporation is a membership corporation that exercises
the rights, obligations and benefits of all executed exploration
agreements on behalf of its members. The Corporation also facilitates
solutions to issues related to employment, training and contracting
in the Dene Suline Region, and administers community development
funding provided for under the terms of all executed exploration
agreements. Dazi Dene Suline LDC currently represents the interests
of a majority of the northern municipalities located within
the Region including: Bear Creek, Descharme Lake, Garson Lake,
La Loche and Turnor Lake.
- A regional development corporation has also
been formed. The Dene Suline Regional Development Association
Inc. is a membership corporation that is working to identify
and resolve issues related to growth and development in the
Dene Suline Region of northern Saskatchewan. It is promoting
the responsible, sustainable development of resources within
the Region for the benefit of all stakeholders by working with
industry, local, provincial and federal governments, universities,
aboriginal groups and non-government organizations.
- Dene Suline RDA currently represents the
regional interests of the northern municipalities located within
the Region, including: Bear Creek, Black Point, Descharme Lake,
Garson Lake, La Loche and Turnor Lake, as well as those of the
Métis Locals of Discharge Lake and Turnor Lake.
- One exploration agreement has been signed
and numerous other companies are currently reviewing the possibility
of also signing an agreement with the region.
- A website was developed containing the information
collected, each community has a copy of their community asset
map as well as the regional overview and a digital copy.
- The Integrated Regional Economic & Land
Use Planning committee will incorporate this information into
their plans.
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