By Danielle Dufour
MBC News Freelance Correspondent
First Nations University of Canada
James Isbister, the Director of Finance for the Ahtahkakoop Cree Developments (AC Developments), has worked there for 15 years and shares some details about their most recent project.
“This year the development corporation got into partnership with Saskatoon City along with other stakeholders in developing the Urgent Care Centre,” said Isbister.
The Urgent Care Centre is expected to open in Saskatoon in 2026.
One recently opened in Regina, and Isbister says, “They are following suit.”
“I was told there’s going to be another one opening up in the Prince Albert northern area,” said Isbister.
This is the development’s main focus right now.
“All our eggs in the basket for that,” said Isbister.
“AC Developments will own the new development, but it will be operated under a sub-corporation, Ahtahkakoop Medical Holdings LLP, I believe,” said Isbister. “They’ll run that side of it because they have their own bookkeeper there, and they have their CEO too.”
This has been the primary focus in 2025, but AC Developments has done numerous things prior to this year.
“We bought into Polar Oils a few years back,” said Isbister. “They painted the store the same colour, and we’re just flying their banner.”
Polar Oils is affiliated with other bands across Saskatchewan’s north.
“The General Store is our main highlight of the corporation, and that’s what is keeping us rolling now,” said Isbister. “It’s helping us get into further (developments); besides just on reserve, we’re trying to focus on off the reserve as well.”
The General Store opened in 2008.
“Right now, we are not in a good location,” said Isbister. “Location is key.”
The Ahtahkakoop General Store, located on the northeast corner of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation carries an assortment of goods from confectionary, grocery, hardware, tobacco, and fuel.
“It’s a convenience,” said Isbister.
“People like to complain about the prices, but we also have to pay for it,” said Isbister. “The costs go up, and so does the price.”
AC Developments is focused on growth.
“That’s why they developed the corporation in 2010, so we can do more,” said Isbister.
Their hands are full right now as they continue to work on this recent project that they have been working on for the past year.
“After we focus on this one, I believe we’ll be looking at furthering our scope,” said Isbister. “Hopefully getting into something bigger too, this Urgent Care Centre is going to be a big thing.”
The Urgent Care Centre will offer an alternative to emergency departments that will include a multi-disciplinary team working to assess, treat, manage, and support patients with illnesses and injuries that are not life-threatening.
“There’s lots that goes into the groundwork, like getting political people involved… and then the right people so you get it right,” said Isbister.
AC Developments started in 2010 under the leadership of late Neil Ahenakew.
The CEO for Ahtahkakoop Cree Developments is now Carmen Little and the new year looks to bring many wonderful and great opportunities for the communities involved.