Funding approved for Kikino Silver Birch Resort upgrades

(ANNews) – Kikino Metis Settlement has been able to make much-needed upgrades to its Silver Birch Resort and Campground thanks to an Alberta government grant.

The funding is designed to spur on economic growth in the community.

The grant has allowed the resort to modernize its services, including establishing online booking capabilities, providing power to 69 campsites, upgrading 10 cabins, adding a shower house and building a new playground.

“The economic opportunities and jobs created from this investment will help strengthen tourism in the region and help build economic independence for the settlement,” stated Richard Feehan, Minister of Indigenous Relations. “Métis businesses like these also help diversify Alberta’s economy by promoting growth and prosperity for all Albertans. Helping Indigenous communities achieve their goal of economic self-sufficiency is an important part of reconciliation.”

The $700,000 grant was provided through the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund, which provides funding to eligible Indigenous community-owned businesses and organizations to support economic development and improve social outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Alberta. The fund has provided $15 million since 2015.

“We would like to thank the province as this investment will help our businesses grow and attract more tourists to our Settlement and the surrounding area,” stated Roger Littlechilds, administrator of the Kikino Metis Settlement.  “Having more prosperous businesses also means more revenue we can use to sustain important services for our community.”  

The project has provided more than 12,700 hours of work for eight part-time workers from the settlement. It will also increase economic opportunities for the community and the region. Construction activity and incremental annual sales will add approximately $4 million to the local economy in the first year and $870,000 on average for the next four years.