The City of Humboldt and George Gordon First Nation are embarking on a new partnership aimed at long-term economic growth and relationship building through the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI). The two communities are among eight partnerships across Canada selected to participate in the three-year national program from 2024 to 2027.
CEDI is jointly delivered by Cando (the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), with funding support from Indigenous Services Canada. The initiative is designed to foster respectful, government-to-government collaboration between First Nations and neighbouring municipalities. Through joint economic development and land use planning, the program aims to create lasting benefits for participating regions.
“I am pleased to participate in this important initiative with Humboldt,” said Chief Shawn Longman in a news release. “We recognize that working together to address our economic challenges will strengthen our relationship and the regional economy and move our communities forward.”
Through CEDI, the communities will engage in facilitated monthly working group meetings, bi-annual workshops, and guided activities that promote capacity and relationship building. The process is designed to build a foundation for collaborative projects and help address local challenges with solutions developed and supported locally.
Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench sees the initiative as a meaningful opportunity to build on early efforts that began prior to the most recent municipal elections.
“This is something that started before the election—we first made contact with them then,” said Muench. “The good thing is, it’s something we were able to continue with the new council. George Gordon also had an election, so both communities are starting fresh, and everyone’s excited to get going.”
Mayor Muench highlighted the mutual learning opportunities between the communities, especially when it comes to economic development.
“Hopefully we can tap into some of the exciting things they’re doing on the First Nation, and maybe partner with some of their projects,” he said. “We’ve already had a full-day workshop where both councils met to brainstorm and explore where we might collaborate. It was a chance to feel each other out, learn some of the history of our communities, and start building that shared understanding.”
The first joint workshop served as a steppingstone for future collaboration, with the next session planned to take place on George Gordon First Nation in the coming months.
While the initial goals are largely foundational, the long-term vision is clear: build a durable relationship that will support joint economic growth and shared opportunity beyond the formal end of the CEDI program.
“We have a limited time on this agreement,” said Muench, “but what we’re really trying to do is build that relationship so it can continue. They’re involved in a lot of different economic development activities that we think could have implications here in Humboldt too.”
He also pointed to shared regional interests, including activity around the BHP Jansen mine site, as another catalyst for the partnership.
“We’ve been reaching out to a number of surrounding communities through our involvement with BHP,” Muench noted. “George Gordon has already been involved with some projects tied to the mine, so this felt like a perfect opportunity to engage more directly. We’re hopeful this can lead to new opportunities that benefit both communities.”
With strong support from both councils, the partnership is off to a promising start. Mayor Muench said council participation has been strong, and he’s looking forward to the next round of discussions.
“It’s going to be an interesting project,” he said. “Our council is fully behind it, and we had great participation in the first workshop. I’m looking forward to our next session on the First Nation in the months ahead—and hopefully making this initiative something that leaves a lasting impact.”
By working together under the CEDI framework, Humboldt and George Gordon First Nation are laying the groundwork for a more connected, cooperative, and prosperous future.