Pictured above: Rendering of the new Pelican Narrows Northern store

Residents in Pelican Narrows, SK, now have greater and safer access to food and everyday essentials, thanks in part to the brand new Northern store which opened its doors on Saturday, November 28.

Pelican Narrows is a Northern Saskatchewan village within a boreal forest, 388 kilometers northeast of Prince Albert, right on the shores of Pelican Lake. The community of about 2,000 residents is part of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation.

The new store was developed and opened in collaboration with the local community and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation’s Chief and Council. Pelican Narrows residents will have access to fresh food, everyday household necessities, groceries, a gas bar, We Financial services, a Tim Hortons and a partnership pharmacy.

Pictured above: (left) Customers following health precautions while waiting to shop in their new store. (right) Store staff preparing to serve customers

While opening ceremonies are generally celebrated with gatherings, speeches, presentations and Elder’s prayers, in order to ensure the safety and well-being of residents from the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and Northern brought the celebration to households instead. Each household in the community was safely provided with a holiday food hamper to mark the opening of the new store.

“Our goal right now is to make sure people in Pelican Narrows have safe access to food in the community,” says Rob Thursby, Director of Sales & Operations, The North West Company. “We’ll have plenty of time to celebrate later.”