Pictured above: The Northern store in Patuanak, SK
Our Community Promise
The North West Company Inc. is proud of the active role we play within the communities we serve, striving to make a positive, progressive difference. Our contributions within the community of Patuanak, SK, are a testament to our commitment.
Patuanak is located west of the Shagwenaw Rapids on the beautiful waters of the Churchill River, surrounded by thousands of square miles of pristine forests. It is about 92 km north of Beauval at the end of Highway 918. Based in Patuanak, the English River First Nation (ERFN) is a small close-knit community of both Dene and Cree people.
The small community is home to approximately 700 residents (as per Cameco website). The economy is based on the natural resources of the region including fishing, hunting and forestry but many community members also work in mining and in support services of the community. In recent years, more has been done to bring back traditional activities, such as moose-hide tanning, beadwork and Dene drumming.
Patuanak is accessible by plane all year round through the Buffalo Narrows Airport, La Ronge Airport and Meadow Lake Airport. During the summer the community is accessible by boat and by a gravel road leading towards the La Plonge reserve and the town of Beauval. It can also be accessed by winter road in the winter.
Did you know?
North West is proud of the positive impact we have on the community.
1. Employment: We are one of the most prominent employers in Patuanak, with our Northern store employing 8 individuals. Our commitment to local talent is demonstrated through our workforce consisting of 75% Indigenous employees.*
2. Capital Investment: Northern has made a $517,734 capital investment in the Patuanak store over a 10-year period.*
3. Annual Economic Impact: Northern is making a positive impact in Patuanak, with $390,181 annual economic impact in the community.*
Patuanak Northern Store Manager, Peter Geddes, and his team are significant community supporters.
“This is a welcoming community that is family-oriented and deep in culture with a strong community focus. My wife and I were well received when we arrived in Patuanak,” says Geddes. “Over the past year and a half we have worked closely with community leadership as we navigated this COVID-19 Pandemic. The Emergency Management Team has been most diligent in keeping the community safe and the Health Centre has also played a strong role.”
Geddes adds that the people in the community impressed him with how they stepped up to support each other during the pandemic.
“We have seen people rise to the occasion as we have seen people affected by COVID and in isolation, by providing support and lending a helping hand with shopping and food delivery to these individuals. Patuanak is a GREAT community to call home!”
*For the year ending 2020