The Yellowknives Dene First Nation is seeking consultants to examine whether establishing a community gas station and convenience store would be worthwhile.
The idea is at an early stage. YKDFN has issued a request for proposals to find consultants prepared to look into the concept.
Any consultants hired will be asked to “assess business feasibility, land characteristics, opportunities for renewable resources and cost, as well as to thoroughly engage the YKDFN community,” the request for proposals states.
The same document states that the First Nation believes a gas station and convenience store could “provide essential services, create employment opportunities, generate revenue for the First Nation, and improve the overall convenience and accessibility of goods and services for community members.”
At this point, there is no suggestion of where a gas bar and store might be located. That kind of detail would come later.
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YKDFN hopes to have a study complete by the end of 2025.
The First Nation is separately recruiting a consultant to complete a labour market inventory survey.
A request for proposals for the survey states that the work will “provide valuable insights into the current workforce, employment trends, skill gaps, and opportunities for economic development within the community.”
“This survey will inform strategies for improving employment outcomes and advancing the long-term economic goals of YKDFN while ensuring that cultural and community values remain at the forefront,” the document adds.
