Photo of the funeral home provided by Peepeekisis Development Ltd.
The Peepeekisis Cree Nation Funeral Home, located in Lorlie, Saskatchewan, 111 kilometers northeast of Regina, is having their grand opening on September 17th at 10 a.m. This soft opening will include guided tours of the facility, followed by a meal.
This custom-built facility, spanning over 9,500 square feet, will offer a variety of services and products, including cremation, caskets, video tributes, obituary writing and more. Construction has been completed, and they anticipate being fully operational in October once all necessary certifications and licenses are obtained.
The funeral home will provide a safe space for mourning and celebration, where traditions and cultural practices are respected and honoured.
To start up, the funeral home will employ three full-time staff including a funeral director, an embalmer and maintenance staff.
Indigenous Services Canada provided $1 million in funding to this development project through the Community Opportunity Readiness Program (CORP).
The funeral home represents an important step towards greater self-determination for Peepeekisis First Nation, providing the Nation with a range of social, cultural, and economic benefits.
“We talk about reconciliation and economic sovereignty. The funeral home project benefits our nation by bringing in revenue, helps create jobs for our community members,” said Keegan Montgrand, Peepeekisis Developments Ltd.
They are also exploring opportunities for training and professional development to encourage Nation members and others in the community to pursue careers in the funeral home industry, including becoming trained as embalmers or funeral directors.
In the past, the Peepeekisis First Nation would have to close the school or band office to host funerals.
“With us having our own funeral home facility, we’re able to continue our day-to-day offerings while respecting the family wishes and having the funerals at the funeral home,” said Montgrand.
The Indigenous-led funeral home has been specifically designed to accommodate Indigenous cultural practices, allowing the Nation to carry out traditional mourning protocols. The facility includes a specialized ventilation system that allows for smudging and the use of tobacco, as well as a concrete fire pit outdoors for wakes and sacred fires used during prayers and ceremonies.
“The way First Nations have funerals is a very special, unique way,” said Montgrand.
Montgrand emphasized their goal is to create an inclusive, sacred space where Indigenous families can come together to grieve, heal and practice their cultural traditions.
He emphasized the facility is open and welcoming to all individuals, regardless of Indigenous identity or background.
“Different ethnicities, religions and cultures can come use the facility in whatever way they want…and have a safe, understanding environment where they could have their final goodbyes and celebrate their loved one’s life here.”
Montgrand also views this development as a blueprint for other First Nations looking to reclaim control over services that have typically been offered by others.
“We’re one of the first tribal owned funeral homes in Canada,” said Montgrand. “I do see this coming online right across the country, other nations looking to explore and get into the funeral home industry.”