Piapot First Nation
Summary
Governance & Leadership
Chief
- Mark Fox
Councillors
- William Carrier
- Crystal Crowe
- Nicole Crowe
- Lloyd Desjarlais
- Tamara Desjarlais
- Jayleen Francis
- Harold Kaiswatum
- Marilyn Kaiswatum
Next Election
July 2028Term of Office
4 YearsGovernment Type
First Nations Elections Act (FNEA)Band Administrator
Donna ManteeDemographics
Membership (*ISC - As of July 2026)
- 2,808 total membership
- 838 (on-reserve)
- 1,970 (off-reserve)
Reserves
- Haylands 75A (1,160 Ha)
- Piapot 75K (903 Ha)
Reserve Land
hectares
18,862.00
acres
46,609.02
km²
188.62
Physical Location
Piapot First Nation is located in the Qu’Appelle Valley approximately 45 kilometres northeast of Regina, and it also maintains urban reserve lands within the city of Regina.
Economic Strategy
Situated in Treaty 4 territory, the Nation pursues sustainable development that balances commercial diversification with community welfare, culture, and environmental integrity. Through strategic partnerships, active investment management, and targeted urban reserve development in Regina and Prince Albert, Piapot First Nation actively creates local employment, elevates local capacity, and fosters business enterprise. Economic planning emphasizes long-term sovereignty, establishing key investments across retail, real estate, shared tribal developments, and renewable energy, including the Miyopayiwin Wind Development and community solar projects. By establishing robust business structures and holding equity across regional commercial enterprises, Piapot First Nation ensures community independence and sustainable prosperity for generations to come.
Investment Readiness & Governance
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Management of dedicated settlement trusts and federal capital and revenue trust funds to support long-term capital preservation following historic settlement compensation.
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Operational oversight of specialized commercial holdings and development partnerships designed to foster sustainable equity growth.
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Structure of commercial governance leveraging specific entities—such as the Piapot First Nation Business Trust and Piapot Development Corporation—to successfully isolate community business operations from political administration.
Economic Development Corporation
Piapot Development Corporation
Piapot Development Corporation serves as the primary commercial vehicle for Piapot First Nation, overseeing business growth, corporate governance, and commercial real estate and land management initiatives. Working alongside Kehiew Holdings Inc., Piapot Holdings Limited Partnership, and the Piapot First Nation Business Trust, the corporation manages community-owned business operations, champions local economic self-sufficiency, and establishes long-term joint venture opportunities. Its mandate centers on establishing profitable commercial enterprises, building job opportunities for community members, and enhancing own-source revenue streams to support Nation-building objectives. Through disciplined management of portfolio investments and active participation in regional multi-Nation commercial ventures, the corporation protects community assets while driving expansion across diverse business sectors. Guided by community leadership, Piapot Development Corporation remains dedicated to creating scalable, resilient businesses that advance economic autonomy and community wellbeing across Treaty 4 territory.
Piapot First Nation - Enterprise Portfolio
Economic Development & Governance Entities
Piapot Development Corporation (Wholly-Owned Entity)
Drives economic strategy, commercial enterprise development, and corporate holdings management for the community.
Piapot Holdings Limited Partnership (Limited Partnership)
Manages real estate, infrastructure assets, and commercial holdings to generate sustainable operational revenues.
Piapot First Nation Business Trust (Government Business Enterprise)
Holds and manages key commercial ventures and investment interests on behalf of the community members.
Kehiew Holdings Inc. (Wholly-Owned Subsidiary)
Oversees commercial investments and corporate holdings dedicated to expanding own-source wealth.
Commercial & Retail Operations
Cree Land Mini Mart (Community Enterprise)
Delivers essential convenience, fuel, and retail services to residents and visitors traveling through the territory.
Miyo Askiy Cannabis Co. (Community Enterprise)
A retail cannabis storefront located on Piapot’s urban reserve in Regina, governed independently by the Piapot First Nation Cannabis Act and administered by the Piapot Cannabis Board, asserting the Nation’s sovereign right to manage cannabis distribution on its lands.
Regional Joint Ventures & Investments
Keseechiwan Holdings Limited Partnership (Limited Partnership)
Participates in regional commercial real estate and business developments through shared Indigenous ownership.
FHQTC Developments Limited Partnership (Limited Partnership)
Advances commercial real estate, infrastructure, and regional economic projects in collaboration with member First Nations of the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council.
2544737 Ontario Limited (Portfolio Investment)
Maintains specialized corporate portfolio investments to foster broader commercial diversification.
Access & Logistics Details
Primary Access:
Piapot First Nation (Piapot 75) is located approximately 45 to 50 km northeast of Regina, Saskatchewan. Primary access from Regina is via paved provincial routes such as Highway 6 North or Highway 10 East, connecting to local unpaved grid roads leading to the main reserve area in the Qu’Appelle Valley. Access is year-round via all-weather roads, though local gravel roads are subject to spring thaw weight restrictions and winter snow drifting.
Nearest Airport:
The nearest commercial aviation facility is Regina International Airport (YQR), located approximately 55 to 60 km southwest by road. YQR offers scheduled domestic passenger flights, air cargo services, and charter capabilities. There are no active certified aerodromes, airstrips, or floatplane bases on the reserve.
Nearest Commercial & Service Hub:
Regina, Saskatchewan, located approximately 45 to 50 km southwest, serves as the primary Tier-1 commercial, industrial, and supply chain hub. It offers complete heavy equipment rental, construction material suppliers, fuel delivery networks, skilled labor, intermodal freight handling, and regional healthcare facilities.
Rail:
For rail logistics, Class I freight rail lines operated by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway (CN) pass through Regina (~50 km southwest), where intermodal facilities and rail sidings are located. No rail lines directly traverse or serve the reserve.
Geographic & Logistical Notes:
Piapot First Nation is a Treaty 4 signatory. Project planners and contractors must adhere to local governance protocols, engage in early consultation, and abide by band permit or business licensing requirements. Operational considerations include extreme prairie winter weather conditions (-30°C to -40°C) requiring winterized equipment, as well as steep elevation shifts and unpaved roads descending into the Qu’Appelle Valley that require careful route planning for heavy transport vehicles during spring break-up.