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The Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation is moving ahead with a $100-million casino and resort development after a ministerial order returned control of its land to the nation.
The First Nation provided an update on Tuesday, detailing plans to relocate and redevelop the Gold Eagle Casino, alongside a new hotel and convention centre, with support from the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.
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Chief Tanya Stone said the return of the lands in December marked a turning point for the project.
“The existing site of the Gold Eagle Casino has been returned to the Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation. This is reconciliation. What is ours has been returned,” she said.
“Mosquito owns that land. However, back in the days, the third party changed that name to Gold Eagle Reserve… In December of 2025, the minister provided a ministerial order to transfer the land back and rename it to the Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation Urban Reserve.”
Stone said the First Nation has spent years advancing the development, and is now working to finalize financing and partnerships.
(Creative Fire/Submitted)
The first phase will include a new casino, hotel and convention centre, with about $60 million to be invested by the First Nation. Additional phases are expected to expand the site with commercial and residential developments.
While there is no firm construction timeline, the build is expected to take about 36 months after it begins.
“We’re really optimistic. It’s going to happen soon,” Stone said.
“Our early estimates show that this project will generate more than 350 construction jobs and 400 long-term positions in the hospitality, management and operations for the first phase.”
The development is projected to attract more than 500,000 visitors annually.
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority president and CEO Zane Hansen said the project comes as the current Gold Eagle Casino marks 30 years of operation.
“It feels like an opportune time as well to be announcing the next chapter, exciting new chapter, for Gold Eagle Casino,” Hansen said.
He said the new facility is expected to expand tourism and entertainment in the region.
Plans presented Tuesday showed a large-scale development on a site along Highway 16 West, including a convention centre with capacity for about 1,000 people.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron said the project reflects long-standing goals of economic independence.
Tammy Cook-Searson, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority’s board chair, said the development is the result of sustained leadership and collaboration.
“What we are witnessing today is the result of years of determination, community vision and strong First Nation leadership,” she said.
Stone said work is continuing on financing and planning, while the future of the existing casino site has yet to be determined.
“The main thing is, the Gold Eagle Casino is moving to a new home, a new land site,” she said.
The proposed project will be built on a 67-acre property along Highway 16 West, on the site of the former Canadian Motel, which was destroyed by fire last year. The current Gold Eagle Casino is located at 11902 Railway Ave. East.
The land was purchased for $1.93 million, plus GST, making it the largest land sale ever recorded by the City of North Battleford. Council approved the deal in August through Strathworkscollab Inc., an intermediary representing the First Nation.
North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin said the city is prepared to work with the First Nation as the project moves forward.
“We recognize that this significant development will involve many important steps and will require collaboration and consultation with the city and our residents, including zoning amendments and the establishment of service agreements,” Hawtin stated.
