A sod-turning ceremony was held in North Battleford on Oct. 27, 2025, as Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation announced plans for a $100-million casino, hotel and convention centre development along Highway 16 West. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

By Kenneth Cheung

INFRASTRUCTURE

MGBHLM First Nation breaks ground on $100M casino and hotel project in North Battleford

Oct 27, 2025 | 2:38 PM

A Saskatchewan First Nation is behind the largest land sale in North Battleford’s history — and the biggest Indigenous-led investment ever in the province.

Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man (MGBHLM) First Nation announced Monday it will build a $100-million casino, hotel and convention-centre complex on a 67-acre property along Highway 16 West, the same area where the former Canadian Motel once stood after it was destroyed by fire last year.

The motel site will be torn down as part of early cleanup work before construction begins.

Leaders say the project will reshape the city’s west entrance and mark a major step toward long-term economic self-determination.

Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman, also known as Tanya Stone, called the sod-turning ceremony a proud moment for her Nation.

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“This is a deliberate and strategic investment that focuses on our developments in one area, making our efforts stronger, more efficient and more impactful,” she said.

A rendering shows the proposed $100-million casino, hotel and convention centre development announced by Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation in North Battleford, Sask. The project is planned for a 67-acre site along Highway 16 West. (submitted/MGBHLM)

Rethinking the Gold Eagle Casino

The new complex would eventually replace the Gold Eagle Casino, which has operated in North Battleford since 1996 under the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA). Aguilar-Antiman said the Nation owns the land beneath the current casino but leases it to SIGA through a head-lease and sub-leases that limit the Nation’s control.

She said MGBHLM has already given SIGA formal notice that after April 1, 2027, the Nation will not renew those agreements unless a new arrangement is reached that better benefits its members.

“If we don’t strike an agreement that’s going to improve the overall Nation, we will not sign for a future casino on that site,” she said.

For now, both the construction timeline and the fate of the existing casino remain undecided. Aguilar-Antiman said the project is still in the early stages, with planning, preparations, and discussions ongoing with various partners and stakeholders to move the development forward.

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Largest deal in city’s history

The 36.5-acre parcel south of the Riverview neighbourhood was purchased for $1.93 million plus GST, making it the largest land sale ever recorded by the City of North Battleford. Council approved the deal in August through Strathworkscollab Inc., an intermediary representing MGBHLM, and expects it to close by the end of the month.

Mayor Kelli Hawtin said the city looks forward to working collaboratively through the development process.

“As we move forward, we acknowledge that this development will require many important steps, requiring collaboration and public consultation within the city,” she said.

“This great vision requires zoning amendments and the establishment of service agreements. These crucial processes will ensure the development aligns with our shared vision and meets the needs of our entire community.”

According to preliminary assessments, the first phase — including the casino, hotel and convention centre — is expected to create 350 construction jobs and 400 permanent positions, while drawing more than half a million visitors annually and generating millions in new tourism revenue.

A sod-turning ceremony was held in North Battleford on Oct. 27, 2025, as Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation announced plans for a $100-million casino, hotel and convention centre development along Highway 16 West. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Backed by Indigenous partners

Aguilar-Antiman said funding will come from the Nation’s own-source revenues alongside private-sector investors and other First Nations.

“We’ve come a long way where the banks are ready to do business with the Nation due to the tremendous amount of growth and wealth that we’ve transpired in the last 10 years,” she said.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Vice-Chief David Pratt praised the First Nation’s leadership, saying the project reflects years of hard work and growth that are “inspiring to the rest of our [First Nations].”

Red Pheasant Cree Nation Chief Cody Benson described Aguilar-Antiman’s approach as “planning with care, staying true to the value and focusing on the community,” while Saulteaux First Nation Chief Kenneth Moccasin said the development will “bring jobs and employment and bettering our families and our communities.”

For Aguilar-Antiman, the day marked a turning point for her Nation.

“The future is now,” she said.

“Nobody is going to be leading those discussions for Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man. It’s Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man leading those discussions for our people and our generations to come.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com