The Wet’suwet’en First Nation west of Burns Lake has received provincial funds to help with plans for a band-owned gas bar.
They’ve received $100,000 from the Ministry of Forests and Rural Development that will help finish the conceptual design and business plan for the project, according to Shannon Haizimsque, the Cheif Operating Officer with Yinka Dene Economic Development.
She says the revenue from the gas bar will flow back into the community through their five pillars.
“They focus on our health and wellness, education and training, housing, governance and economic development. It means employment with our people and building capacity for our members,” says Haizimsque.
She says it will take a few years to complete the project that will cost around $2 million.
Haizimsque says they’ve been working on plans for the gas bar for around a decade.