Dene Tha’ First Nation and the Town of High Level are celebrating the completion of the First Nation –Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI).
The celebration was attended by elected officials and staff from both communities and hosted over Zoom due to current Alberta health restrictions.
CEDI program completion certificates were presented to Chief James Ahnassay and Mayor Crystal McAteer on behalf of their communities.
Mayor Crystal McAteer talked about the partnership, the mutual respect and understanding of each other, and the benefits that CEDI has brought.
“It is very exciting as we begin to see the benefits of our hard work, such as the waterline to Bushe, the Emergency Response Plan and the Multi-purpose facility. Through continued communication and transparency, I believe both our communities will be successful in the years to come.”
Chief James Ahnassay brought up the adversity that the groups have faced since they started the initiative back in 2018.
“Both of the partners had no idea at the start of the partnership initiative that we were going to be facing the largest fire since the 1950’s and then the pandemic. These two natural disasters highlighted the need for and the benefits of creating a regional partnership that can make a difference when unforeseen disaster hits the area.
“Both of the partners had no idea at the start of the partnership initiative that we were going to be facing the largest fire since the 1950’s and then the pandemic. These two natural disasters highlighted the need for and the benefits of creating a regional partnership that can make a difference when unforeseen disaster hits the area.
Over the past three years, the Dene Tha’ First Nation and Town of High Level established three joint initiatives, including:
•A waterline connection between Town of High Level and Bushe River. Along with a feasibility study for wastewater infrastructure at Bushe River.
•A joint emergency plan.
•A multi-purpose facility.
CEDI is a national program delivered jointly by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers. This partnership is one of only nine that are participating in the CEDI program between 2016 –2021 across Canada.
-Damien Gnass, Trending 55
