It was a grand day for Xeni Gwet’in First Nation.
Today (Friday) they held the official opening of their Economic Development Department in the Phoenix Building in Williams Lake.
Director of Economic Development Ron Sturgess Sr said the Nation has been busy and that its been a long journey since the Declaration of title for Tsilhqot’in people in court and since that Declaration there’s been lots of work done.
“We’ve been engaging with community members, negotiations with Government, obtaining authorities and initial transformational funding, strategic and community planning, lots of pieces that come together that we’ve been doing with title.”
Sturgess said it feels good to be moving forward in an execution phase and this office is using for economic development but also for community and council to use is such a big piece.
“Some examples of what we’ve done already is working with our partners with Dasiqox Tribal Park. We purchased as economic development some lodges and some outfits that we are turning into tourism. We’ve been working with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Dawson Road Maintenance. Xenni Gwet’in has had the opportunity to work on our own road and learn what it takes to manage a road and to service the only road in and out of the community. That’s a big deal.”
Sturgess said we are creating operations to personalize their management, we have Directors, Managers, and our staff so the entire community of Xeni Gwet’in is building and growing.
“With us at Economic Development is how can we serve and service the community on economic development and raising revenue and money to support the community? Those are big deals for us. Opening this office this week is an important part of that. We’re going to hit a few road bumps but that’s ok we’re prepared for that and the intention is to grow internally.”
Sturgess added that he is honoured and privileged to be a part of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation Government Economic Development Department.
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