The Challenge
Located in northwest Alberta, Dene Tha’ First Nation is made up of approximately 2,400 members living in three communities. With several economic advantages, including a large land base and proximity to the regional hub of High Level, DTFN is a highly entrepreneurial Nation that has benefitted from its establishment of its corporate arm, N’deh Limited Partnership. In 2019, DTFN sought to establish an ambitious Strategic Economic Development Plan that would set out the Chief & Council’s focus, intention, and ideas for economic development over a five-year period.
This initiative sought to support several of the Nation’s goals: to create a sustainable economic base for the Nation through growth in business and training opportunities; to provide an inclusive and united vision for the Nation’s social and economic life, capable of maintaining broad support through changes of circumstance such as council and administrative turnover; to facilitate interaction and collaboration within and between the three Dene Tha’ communities, with additional consideration for their transportation needs; and to improve transparency and communications with the Nation membership. To achieve these outcomes, Ballad led a comprehensive engagement process with members in all three communities, ensuring that the plan would represent the needs of each. This grassroots input informed research examining the suitability of identified business opportunities for both the Nation and its members.
Our Approach
Based on this study, Ballad recommended nine business opportunities that would allow the Nation to pursue greater financial independence. The plan also established four strategic priorities in areas of administration and organization that would also build a stronger foundation for the Nation’s economic success. Since completing this plan in 2020, DTFN and Ballad have continued to collaborate on business development, bring many of these recommendations to life and generating positive economic outcomes for the Nation and its members.
What We Heard
“Ballad Group is an exceptional service provider that has exceeded all expectations. Over the past year, Dene Tha’ First Nation has had the pleasure of working with the Ballad team on several projects that will have positive impacts on our communities. It has been our experience that the Ballad Group has been professional, punctual, communicative, respectful, and trustworthy. Dene Tha’ First Nation looks forward to working with Ballad Group on future projects.”