Opaskwayak Cree Nation

What Opaskwayak Cree Nation does

Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) is a self-governing First Nations community headquartered on IR 21E near The Pas, Manitoba, serving approximately 6,260 members, more than half of whom live on reserve. The nation operates as a Chief-and-Council government with eight Councillors (one chairing the Treasury Board) and is structured into seven branches — Health Services, Education Services (Opaskwayak Education Services Inc.), Business Enterprises, Child & Family Services, Government Services, Infrastructure & Housing, and Lands & Natural Resources — each with its own Executive Director, board, and Portfolio Councillor. It also operates a Community Relations Unit and delivers off-reserve engagement in Winnipeg and Brandon.

OCN's core technology stack consists of First Nations government services infrastructure, including a unified financial management system (went live November 2022, consolidating 15,000 account codes to 250 across all branches) and land administration systems supporting a Land Code under the First Nations Land Management Act. It does not sell commercial products or software; rather, it delivers governmental, educational, health, social, housing, and land management services to its members.

The business model blends government funding with own-source revenue. Primary funding streams are federal transfers (via Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations) and FNFMB-certified 10-year federal grant eligibility (since March 2019), supplemented by own-source revenue from Aseneskak Casino, Otineka Mall, Kikiwak Inn, land leases, and a first-of-its-kind Manitoba forestry revenue sharing agreement (signed August 2022) returning up to 45% of timber dues. The organization also holds FNFA borrowing membership (since January 2017) and oversees six reserve areas plus treaty land entitlement to an additional 22,690 hectares, which underpins an ambitious 20-Year Community Master Plan covering more than 1,000 housing units, cottage developments, an Elders Personal Care Home, agricultural acquisitions, an Industrial Development Zone, and an Egg Lake Community Healing Centre.

Name

Opaskwayak Cree Nation

Legal name

Opaskwayak Cree Nation

Website

https://opaskwayak.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Opaskwayak Cree Nation is a self-governing First Nations community in Manitoba serving ~6,260 members through seven branches (Health, Education, Business Enterprises, Child & Family Services, Government, Infrastructure & Housing, and Lands & Natural Resources), funded by federal/provincial transfers and own-source enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

First Nations Government Services

NAICS

American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (921150), American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (92115), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Forestry (800), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tribal/Indigenous Public Health Authorities (HLAJAAAD), Indigenous/Tribal Education Authorities & Boards (EDADABAM), Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests) (BPAIAMAF), Tribal/First Nations Casino Operations (MPAEAAAD)

Keywords

• First Nations governance
• Community health services
• Indigenous education services
• Land and natural resources
• Community infrastructure development

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Federal and provincial government transfers, grants, and program funding for First Nations services including health, education, social services, and infrastructure.
2. Own-Source Revenue: Revenue from business enterprises, forestry operations, land leases, and commercial developments including Aseneskak Casino, Otineka Mall, and Kikiwak Inn.
3. Forestry Revenue Sharing: Up to 45% of timber dues collected returned to Opaskwayak from Manitoba government under revenue sharing agreement signed August 2022.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Opaskwayak Cree Nation is a self-governing First Nations government that provides community services to approximately 6,260 members through seven operational branches: Health Services, Education Services, Business Enterprises, Child & Family Services, Government Services, Infrastructure & Housing, and Lands & Natural Resources. The Nation also operates own-source revenue businesses including Aseneskak Casino, Otineka Mall, and Kikiwak Inn, and receives government funding for community programs.

Product overview

Opaskwayak Cree Nation is a First Nations community government organization that provides community services including Health Services, Education Services (Opaskwayak Education Services Inc.), Business Enterprises, Child & Family Services, Government Services, Lands & Natural Resources, and Infrastructure & Housing. The organization is led by Chief and Council and operates through seven branches, each with its own Executive Director and board. Opaskwayak Cree Nation does not offer commercial software products or technology platforms; its offerings consist of governmental, educational, health, social, and land management services for community members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Health Services Health services and programs delivered to Opaskwayak Cree Nation members through the Health Services branch, including a proposed 60-bed Elders Personal Care Home expandable to 100+ beds.
• Education Services Education programs and services delivered through Opaskwayak Education Services Inc. (OES), including primary, secondary, and post-secondary education support for community members.
• Business Enterprises Own-source revenue businesses including Aseneskak Casino, Otineka Mall, and Kikiwak Inn, generating income to support community programs and services.
• Child & Family Services Child and family social services for Opaskwayak Cree Nation members, including protection, prevention, and family support programs.
• Government Services Government and administrative services including Chief and Council operations, election administration, community engagement, and justice coordination.
• Infrastructure & Housing Infrastructure and housing development including 500+ new single-detached houses, 460 multi-family housing units, cottage developments, and rural residential infill projects under the 20-Year Community Master Plan.
• Lands & Natural Resources Land management and natural resources services for six reserve areas plus 22,690 hectares of additional Treaty Land Entitlement, including forestry operations under the 45% timber revenue sharing agreement with Manitoba.
• 20-Year Community Master Plan Comprehensive 20-year strategic vision guiding community development including commercial hubs, residential subdivisions, agricultural development, cottage developments, and a Community Healing Centre.
• Community Relations Unit Newly established unit serving citizens' requests, community events, Elders services, funerals and emergency travel under the Wichitowin and Kenanow programs. Started with 4 staff with plans to grow to 6.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ducks Unlimited CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Ducks Unlimited Canada partnered with Opaskwayak Cree Nation to honor William 'Lupoo' Cook, an Indigenous trapper and community leader, with a bronze plaque installed along his historical trapline in the Saskeram Wildlife Management Area. DUC has been active in the Saskatchewan River Delta since 1940 to preserve wetland habitat.
• Manitoba Government (Natural Resources and Northern Development)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 August 2022Manitoba government signed a two-year pilot revenue sharing agreement with Opaskwayak Cree Nation, returning up to 45% of timber dues collected to the community. This is the first agreement of its kind for Manitoba. Also signed with Mosakahiken Cree Nation.
• Quinn Public AffairscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOpaskwayak has used Quinn Public Affairs (QPA) for over a decade to lobby on its behalf with federal and provincial governments. QPA assists with government relations, public relations, communications, and stakeholder engagement.
• HTFC Planning & DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHTFC Planning & Design led the development of Opaskwayak's 20-Year Community Master Plan as the lead landscape architect and land use planner. Worked with community members, leaders, elders, and other partners.
• Verne Reimer ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous Architects from Verne Reimer Architecture collaborated on the 20-Year Community Master Plan development.
• JR Cousin ConsultantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil engineering experts who developed much of Opaskwayak's community infrastructure, collaborated on the 20-Year Community Master Plan.
• Meyers Norris PennycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic suitability advisors who collaborated on the 20-Year Community Master Plan development.
• First Nations Financial Management Board (FNFMB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFNFMB certified Opaskwayak in March 2019, providing eligibility for a 10-year grant of federal funding. Opaskwayak also became a borrowing member of FNFA in January 2017.
• MNP LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMNP assisted Opaskwayak in its Finance Transformation Project, helping implement a new financial system across seven branches. Also assisted with financial process alignment.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• Six Nations of the Grand River: Largest First Nation reserve in Canada by population, located in Ontario with elected council and significant enterprise activity. Adjacent comparison for scale of First Nations governance and member-base service delivery.
• Maskwacîs: Alberta Cree/Saulteaux First Nations grouping (formerly Hobbema) with active economic development corporation and member services infrastructure. Thematically comparable as a Treaty-based Cree Nation pursuing self-governance and enterprise.

Direct peers

• Mosakahiken Cree Nation: Manitoba Cree Nation that co-signed the August 2022 forestry revenue-sharing pilot agreement with Opaskwayak. Highly comparable in size, geography, treaty rights, and own-source revenue profile.
• Tlicho Government: Self-governing Indigenous government in the Northwest Territories under a modern treaty with its own constitution, land claim, and financial management. Directly comparable to Opaskwayak as the prior employer of Opaskwayak's CFO and a similar model of consolidated First Nations governance.
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation: Nelson House Cree Nation in northern Manitoba with similar Cree cultural base, Treaty 5 affiliation, and operating branches in health, education, child welfare, and economic development — directly comparable in structure.
• Long Plain First Nation: Treaty 1 First Nation in southern Manitoba with an active business development corporation and significant land holdings near urban markets. Comparable as a Manitoba First Nation pursuing enterprise diversification.

Broad incumbents

• Squamish Nation: Progressive BC First Nation with a major real estate and enterprise portfolio, recognized for governance innovation and large-scale commercial developments. Comparable as a high-enterprise First Nation pursuing land-value capture.
• Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke: Long-established self-governing Mohawk community in Quebec with extensive own-source revenue (cigarettes, gasoline, real estate), consolidated governance, and FNLMA Land Code — a more mature analog of the model Opaskwayak is building.

Emerging players

• Membertou First Nation: Cape Breton First Nation widely cited for its business-led approach, including a successful commercial gaming and services enterprise. Comparable as an Indigenous government pursuing own-source revenue through commercial enterprise.
• Lac La Ronge Indian Band: Large Saskatchewan Cree First Nation with multiple business enterprises (forestry, construction, gaming) and a community development corporation — comparable in operating model to Opaskwayak's Business Enterprises branch.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/OCNcomms
• Facebookfacebook.com/ocncomm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Opaskwayak Cree Nation