Caldwells embark on ambitious strategic plan

LEAMINGTON — After ratifying an historic land claim settlement in 2010, Caldwell First Nation was faced with a number of choices.

Importantly, what were they going to do with the land that they were to purchase.

After acquiring a number of properties for sale in the Leamington area, the time had arrived for significant land development planning to be formalized. Some of the properties are along Mersea Road 1 and Bevel Line Rd., which form only a fraction of Caldwell’s traditional territory, leading to another significant area in Caldwell’s history, and what is now known as Point Pelee National Park.

Caldwell First Nation Council consists of four elected members of Council and a Chief, and has an administrative staff of 25+, which is a rapid growth from the mere six staff members the Nation had as recently as March 2018.

With a Land Use Planning Study underway with First Nation Engineering Services Ltd. Council has also engaged Sisco & Associates Consulting Services to help them put their visions into two strategic documents. This work occurred between March and August 2019.

The documents produced were an extensive Economic Development Plan and a Community Comprehensive Plan. The planning process took a community-based and participatory approach which included Caldwell citizen consultation, strategic planning sessions, focus groups, logic modelling, and follow-up presentations.

“This process truly was a holistic and intensive approach,” stated Director of Operations, Nikki van Oirschot. “It wouldn’t have been possible without a full complement of dedicated and skilled staff, coupled with a Council supportive of its staff, change, and progressiveness.”

Members of Caldwell First Nation in front of the former Happy Snapper Restaurant, which is being re-branded as Three Fires: A First Nation Culinary Experience. Caldwell First Nation photo

Caldwell First Nation photo

“Due to our unique circumstances as a Nation with no current reserve system in place, we have had to work hard in order to create a vision that is our own, and most importantly, community-driven and achievable,” she added.

The community documents were presented to Council in January 2020 and voted upon in a unanimous vote of Council members present.

“This plan was community driven and the result of hard work, community feedback, and thoughtful and thorough planning,” stated Caldwell’s Council. “We came together and asked ourselves what the future of Caldwell First Nation could look like.”

The council looked at best practices, and determined what makes them unique as a community in terms of their story and their geography as Canada’s most southern mainland Nation.

Out of the Economic Development Plan came strategic priorities that are to be carried out by Caldwell First Nation Administration. The ambitious priorities involve the development of an Indigenous Tourism Hub of businesses -- including the recently re-branded “Three Fires: A First Nation Culinary Experience” led by Chef Billy Alexander, a plan for self-sustainability and self-governance, supporting a mixed economy, and the creation of an urban reserve.