Prince Albert (August 23 2021) – Sturgeon Lake Developments Ltd. and Sturgeon Lake First Nation Leadership is proud to announce the grand opening of their brand new Tipi Fuel and Convenience Store, and the Western Nations location, on the East side in Prince Albert. Lake Country Co-op is proud to partner with Sturgeon Lake Developments Ltd. in this new business venture by providing support and supply.

Located on the corner of 15th Street and 10th Ave East, TIPI Fuel and Convenience Store, along with the Western Nations brand, is part of a growing network of independent, locally owned Indigenous Western Nations gas bars that are modern, unique, relevant to all customers and respectful of Indigenous culture. Tipi Fuel and Convenience is located on Sturgeon Lake First Nation urban reserve lands allowing for the sale of tax-exempt fuel and tobacco purchases for status customers.

This state-of-the-art building, and its products and services truly differentiate them from their competitors. This includes Top Tier certified Gasoline, Premium Diesel, Lubricants, Spirit Bear coffee, local hand made merchandise, a tremendous selection of convenience items such as Big Cool Slush, Twist Ice Cream flavors and Prince Albert’s only Chester’s Chicken Franchise.

Chief Ermine of Sturgeon Lake First Nation stated, “It is important to partner with a like-minded organization. Although we could open a fuel station on our own, it is smarter to work alongside an organization experienced in the industry that shares similar community values and understands First Nation community beliefs. FCL and Lake Country Co-op, have proven they are this partner.”

Sturgeon Lake Developments Ltd. & TIPI Fuel and Convenience Store CEO, April Roberts-Poitras has described the vision of TIPI as, “the hearth of a teepee is where the home is, it is a gathering place. This fuel station will not provide holistic balance, but it can be a place for people to come together in a welcoming environment. The art, beauty and use of the Cree language, inside and outside the store, will hopefully help people within Prince Albert, the Cree communities and the East flat area, take pride”.

The Western Nations brand was developed by Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) in consultation with Indigenous leaders and communities across Western Canada as a means to provide an opportunity for First Nations communities to own and operate their own fuel stations while being supplied and supported by Co-op.

“Community support is an important value of Lake Country Co-op and partnering with Sturgeon Lake Developments Ltd. to create a Western Nations branded fuel station in Prince Albert, is a great investment for our communities” said Tim Keller, CEO of Lake Country Co-op, “The Western Nations Gas Bar will create employment, career development opportunities and economic spin-offs in addition to providing access to numerous supports including the unique Community Building Assistance Program which will allow the communities of Sturgeon Lake First Nation to receive funding for community infrastructure, programming and events.”

Sturgeon Lake Development Ltd. and Lake Country Co-op are proud to work together to build and invest in the future success of our communities