I am John Hatch and have been in the Calgary area for 6.5 years. I am retired and was looking for volunteer opportunities to make good use of my time. I became aware of and interested in the people of Morley in 2012. I have volunteered at the Iyahrhe Nakoda Foodbank, the Eagle Nest Family Shelter, the Stoney Elementary School, the Stoney Day Care and other areas over the last six years. I am very interested in helping the people of Morley have a better life. I know of other non-First Nation people that would like to help at Morley but are prevented due to the lack of a mechanism for partnership between the Bands and outsiders. I believe the Land Designation would solve this need. I would like to give my perspective regarding the economic development issue discussed by Mr. Fox especially the situation at Nakoda Lodge and Stoney Park. The Nakoda Lodge sits empty and is deteriorating due to lack of upkeep. The Stoney Park frequently has a locked gate and sits unused and deteriorating. A group I am associated with submitted a proposal to the Wesley Band earlier this year to lease the Nakoda Lodge for 10 years and operate it, providing employment for Stoney people and splitting profits 50/50 with the Band. With the help of outside commitment’s, there was an expectation of being able to operate the Lodge at near full capacity year round providing several million dollars’ income yearly to the Band. This proposal also included monthly contributions to Morley charities like the Food Bank, Family Shelter and others. A similar proposal was being developed for the Stoney Park campground that would have provided additional millions of dollars income yearly to the Band. Upon investigation with authorities up to and including the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in Ottawa, it was determined that, as things now stand, there is no legal way to have an equal agreement between non-First Nations people and the Bands. It would require a large investment of at least a half million dollars to prepare the Lodge for occupancy including painting and repairs. After investing that amount of money to ready the Lodge (or at any point in the next 10 years) it would be possible for Chief and Council to cancel the lease without any legal recourse. If that happened, the investors would lose everything they had invested without hope of recovery. The investors were understandably unwilling to take this risk. The Land Designation, or something like it, would create the mechanism and allow for partnerships between the Stoney People and non-First Nations people who would like to help with the indigenous people’s economic development. It is my hope that the Stoney People would reconsider approving the Land Designation for their own benefit. John Hatch
