Upwards of 100 people were a part of last Friday's grand opening celebration. (submitted photo/Ruth Harman)

By Nigel Maxwell

Building opportunity

One Arrow celebrates opening of new conference centre and cultural camp

Sep 5, 2023 | 5:00 PM

One Arrow First Nation Chief Janine Baldhead says the opening of a new conference centre and cultural Camp represents a great opportunity for the community and surrounding area.

Well over 100 people turned out for last Thursday’s unveiling and were visibly in awe when they walked through the doors. The project has been in the works since 2014.

“It gives our community a chance to take in the beautiful scenery of Mother Nature and going back to land-based teachings and cultural practices with the medicine picking,” Chief Baldhead explained.

The building is situated in the Nesbit Forest on the shore of Adamson Lake. Noting how the community used to host cultural camps, where there were tents, Baldhead explained it was hard for families to go out there together.

“And now with the cabins open and the lodge, families are able to come together as one and work together,” she said. “It’s a big opportunity for our community.”

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A view from above at the conference centre area. (Facebook/Ruth Harman)

One of the meeting rooms. (submitted photo/Ruth Harman)

In addition to cultural camps, community members and outside groups can book the lodge for family reunions, weddings, conferences and government job training seminars or budget meetings. The eight cabins, that can each accomodate up to eight people, will also be winterized so can be used all year round. Baldhead said all the money that gets paid to the facility, comes back to the community.

“Also creating job opportunities as the more the camp is booked, the more workers will be needed,” she said.

The final price tag of the facility and camp was around $1 million, and was paid for through various federal and provincial grants, as well as some band funds. Noting how previous leadership has added to the project, Baldhead explained current council also wants to add on to it and make it a provincial tourist destination.

“We’d like to continue to move forward in this way with the community members and continuing our path to encourage our community more to walk a good path with each other and work together,” she said.

From left to right: STC Tribal Chief Mark Arcand, Chief Janine Baldhead and Colleen Willis from the Federated Co-op. (Submitted photo/Ruth Harman)

(submitted photo/Ruth Harman)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell