Regina’s first and only First Nations owned Tim Horton’s recently opened on urban Treaty land outside of the city. Sakimay First Nation held their official grand opening in mid November.

The idea of this well-known coffee shop coming to urban Treaty land was an opportunity for single mother Keri Ponace to not only to train as a supervisor but to work for her First Nation.

Federal and provincial politicians helped celebrate the grand opening of Sakimay owned and operated Tim Horton’s by pouring a cup of coffee.

“Working on my own [band] land, to me, it’s exciting. The franchise is just getting larger and I wanted to be apart of that,” said Ponace who hopes of one day becoming their manager. “Everybody loves Tim Horton’s coffee so I thought it would be an interesting endeavour.”

Sakimay First Nation partnered with Doyle Hospitality to create the new development in the Saulteaux Crossing Business. Chief Lynn Acoose said the Tim Horton’s opening is a combination of the dreams of her community’s members.

“Years ago, our members had always told us that we need to build a Tim Horton’s on our land in Regina,” said Acoose. “This initiative came from the idea of the members to own our own Tim Horton’s.”

Chief Acoose wanted to ensure there was Indigenous participation as employees, supervisors and management.

“It’s very important. We want to create opportunities for our people to have work on-reserve so they can enjoy the benefits of being a Treaty person and working on Treaty land,” she said.

The grand opening started with an opening prayer and song with many federal and provincial politicians who attended such as Regina Mayor Michael Fougere, CEO of Four Horse Developments Pat Fiacco and Member of Parliament Ralph Goodale.

“This is another enterprise that Sakimay First Nation and Four Horse Developments have been working on. A very interesting [and] exciting network of business developments that are coming together,” said Goodale.

Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said the newly opened franchise is about economic development and a partnership with the City of Regina. “This is an important way to develop our community…by cooperation and working together with Indigenous peoples,” said Fougere. “It’s wonderful that we’re seeing development on Treaty 4 land and also on Sakimay land as well.”

Four Horse Developments is a limited partnership that is mandated to create economic opportunities for Sakimay First Nations. Former Regina Mayor Fiacco said prior to the development, they made it their mandate to have First Nations employees. “Seventy-five percent of the Tim Horton’s staff in this location are Indigenous peoples…eventually they will be managing the store as well,” said Fiacco.

The Tim Horton’s is located off Pinkie Road on Regina’s west entrance with the First Nation’s urban gas store attached to the franchise.