Momentum is building to create what many believe is a long-overdue connection between the Stoney Nakoda people and the Town of Cochrane.

Efforts are now underway to establish an Indigenous Innovation Centre in downtown Cochrane to create a platform of unity, collaboration, mutual respect, and justice.

Proposed is a multi-use centre to serve as a one-stop-shop for Indigenous people pursuing business opportunities, and seeking a spectrum of services. It would also create a social, cultural, and economic connection with a non-Indigenous community.

The centre would be managed and operated by Indigenous people with the active encouragement and support of non-Indigenous allies. The Cochrane Rotary Club is among those allies.

Rotarian Melissa Engdahl explains the service organization's connection with the Stoney people started with an Indigenous learning series in 2018. Tina Fox was the lead elder helping guide the project, and Stoney Nakoda members helped to provide local content.

"Whatever the needs are, that's what it will function as," explains Engdahl. "An innovation can be business innovation, it can be innovation in bringing diverse perspectives together to solve complex problems and complex social issues."

Elder Tina Fox says the Stoney Nakoda people support Cochrane's economy, yet there isn't any visible representation in town.

"We need to be equal partners in this process, and to educate and share our culture with the Town of Cochrane, because we have spent over 150 years learning the non-native culture, so maybe it's time now to share our world, too, with the Town of Cochrane.

Daryl Kootenay, also an advocate for the centre, says he often wonders what the people of Cochrane think of the Stoney people.

"When I go into Cochrane, it's unfortunate, but the reality is, I see my community members struggling in the Town of Cochrane, looking for rides home, asking for money from the people of Cochrane. In many ways, they're lost in a foreign place. 

"This is an opportunity to help our people," he continues. "From the beginning of Canada, we've always had our struggles in being successful in an urban environment and modern environment that's not part of our traditional governance systems and way of living."

He says there's absolutely nothing that represents the Stoney people in Cochrane

"Having our identity being shared and having a centre in the centre of the town to me is very life-changing. I feel it will create a safe place for our people, but it's also an opportunity to be innovative and creative in building relationships."

So, why is the centre proposed now?

"Why not now," Tina Fox answers. 

She says much has been going on in the background. Additionally, growing interest has been sparked by Canadians starting to understand what happened at residential schools.

"The finding of the first 215 unmarked graves at a residential school opened the eyes of a lot of Canadian people. We've been saying all along that children died at residential schools, but nobody believed us. Now I think there are over 6,000 unmarked graves.

"There is now interest in First Nations people and their stories," she continues. "Ears and eyes are being opened, so we need to build on that, so we can forge a way to build a long-lasting relationship between ourselves and the Town of Cochrane."

She says there are over 5,000 other First Nations people in Cochrane, and they would be included.

Kootenay says the 94 calls of action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are starting to resonate with Canadians.

"People are becoming aware of how much change and healing needs to happen. I feel now, more than ever before, Canadians are taking on that responsibility and understanding how much effort as individuals is needed."

That includes the Town of Cochrane.

In September, town council was presented an extensive report outlining ways it could address actions recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Kootenay believes the Stoney Nakoda people have been successful in keeping their language, beliefs, and culture intact since the signing of Treaty 7. He believes it has reached the point where they need to make sure their identity as a nation is being respected and protected.

He praised the leadership of elders, like Tina, who have strong backgrounds and skills in a world different than that of Stoney Nakoda to advance the connection.

"We're finally opening our door to being innovative and creative to build an urban place for the community and to build programming for our community and non-community members to understand each other. We refrained from that for a long time."

An Indigenous Action Committee is being formed, consisting of a majority of Indigenous representatives as well as non-Indigenous collaborators from the Rotary Club, the Town of Cochrane, and the wider community.

It is anticipated three to five years of core funding of a minimum of $150,000 per annum would be required to provide a sustainable footing. Both the Indigenous Action Committee and Cochrane Rotary Club are committed to raising funds to support the project.

The Rotary Club is streaming the Cochrane Huron Carole Christmas Special with Tom Jackson on Dec. 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. as a fundraiser to assist in the development of the centre. 

To assist, people can purchase viewing. Further sponsorships and donations are welcomed.

The Town of Cochrane is being asked to contribute or subsidize space for the centre. One location being considered is the town's current visitor centre that will be moving to The Station of Railway St. when construction is completed next summer.

Cochrane town council has agreed to maintain a lease of this space until at least the end of 2022.

Huron Carole