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Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Chief Darcy Bear of the Whitecap Dakota Nation, announced a significant $15 million investment to support the construction of Dakota Dunes Thermal Spa, Saskatchewan’s first thermal-style spa. The project’s total cost is projected to reach $52 million, with Whitecap Dakota Nation securing equity and financing for the remaining funds.
The spa, set to be built adjacent to the Dakota Dunes Resort, Casino, and Golf Course, is expected to create 320 construction jobs and an additional 166 operational jobs for residents of Whitecap Dakota Nation and nearby Saskatoon. It aims to enhance attendance and occupancy at the existing resort amenities, establishing a new tourism destination in Saskatchewan.
The new spa will feature thermal waters therapy, including saunas, steam rooms, cold plunge pools, hot tubs, and relaxation areas, typical of current thermal-style spas. However, it will uniquely integrate Indigenous elements, design features, and themes throughout the facility, offering an experience unlike any other in Canada.
Indigenous Services Canada has also contributed over $2 million to this project through the Community Opportunity Readiness and Lands and Economic Development Services Programs to cover costs such as architectural fees for concept, block schematic, design, and construction. This investment exemplifies Canada’s commitment to working with Indigenous partners to advance the right to self-determination, in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It marks a significant step toward implementing measure 74 of our UN Declaration Act Action Plan, promoting economic self-determination within Indigenous communities.
“We are thrilled to see this project come to life,” said Minister Hajdu. “It represents a vital step towards economic growth and self-determination for the Whitecap Dakota Nation, while also providing a unique and enriching experience for all visitors to the Dakota Dunes Resort.”
Chief Darcy Bear emphasized the importance of this investment for the community. “This spa will not only create jobs and boost the local economy, but it will also showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Whitecap Dakota Nation. We are proud to lead this initiative and look forward to welcoming guests from near and far.”
The Dakota Dunes Thermal Spa is anticipated to become a landmark destination, offering both locals and tourists a rejuvenating retreat while celebrating and preserving Indigenous culture and traditions.
“There are over 300 Thermal spas in Canada and the USA. The $52 million Dakota Dunes Thermal Spa will be the first one in Saskatchewan and the first indigenous themed thermal spa in Canada. It will truly make the Dakota Dunes Resort a world class destination.”
“Whitecap Dakota Nation is quickly becoming a touristic hub in Saskatchewan. This expansion will help reinforce that, attract more people, and create more good-paying jobs for the community. It moves us further on the path to economic reconciliation and will help everyone get a fair chance to succeed.”
Whitecap Dakota Nation is situated approximately 25 km south of Saskatoon, SK. Its tourism industry, encompassing the Dakota Dunes Casino, Dakota Dunes Hotel, and Dakota Dunes Golf Links, employs around 530 individuals, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, with about 70 percent being Indigenous.
Indigenous Services Canada through the Government of Canada’s Community Opportunity Readiness Program collaborates with First Nations and Inuit communities by providing funding to support economic opportunities. This includes projects such as feasibility studies, business plans, the establishment of community-owned businesses, and the construction of economic infrastructure.
Additionally, the Lands and Economic Development Services Program supports First Nations and Inuit communities by enhancing their economic development, land, and environmental capacity. This assistance helps create the conditions necessary for economic development and increases community participation in the economy.
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