NIOMA CENTRE

A BRIEF PROSPECTUS

May 28, 2015

NIOMA IS A CREE WORD MEANING I AM.

IT IS AN ASSERTION; A STATEMENT OF EMPOWERMENT

The Nioma Centre is a community driven project that seeks to blend

indigenous teachings and protocols, traditional ecological/environmental
knowledge (TEK) and leading scientific methods and practices for
achieving balanced living with the Earth promoting healthy and
sustainable practices in such areas as food and agricultural production,
residential construction options, energy generation and reduction of
carbon footprint.
The strength of Nioma lies in the relationships that we develop with our
clients, partners, supporters and each other. The foundation of our work centers on helping each
person who engages with our facilities and services, find a deeper understanding of their own place in
the world to fulfill the connection to their hidden talents; their buried truths; the unexpressed dream;
the gifts they have been entrusted to carry on their life journey.
Our message is simple: Each human being brings a gift to the
circle their unique identity, which for many, can be hidden or
repressed for most of their lives. They are not asked to fit in or
conform. Rather, the challenge is on the community to find a place
for that individual that encourages the development of the gift, and
enriches the lives of all in the community.

DESCRIPTION
The Nioma Centre is a business venture designed to create a venue in close proximity to the
Capital Region with its main revenue being generated from Aboriginal Cultural Tourism,
Ecological Training & Outdoor Education, Indigenous Perspective Curriculum
Development and Event Hosting.
The site will be developed into an Aboriginal Interpretative centre and site specific Ecological
Information Centre
The Nioma Centre is a business located on 2.99 acres of land approximately 14 miles west of
Devon in the county of Leduc. The site lies adjacent to two quarters of Crown Land on the
southern shore of the N. Saskatchewan River, and a further five quarters on the north shore of
the river totaling 1200 acres of Crown Land.
The adjacent lands contain a 147 acre Nature Conservancy of Canada wilderness area and
provincial discussions are underway to secure the remaining area with Provincial Park
designation (Peregrine Provincial Park).
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The site is 35 minutes to Edmonton and 20 minutes to Leduc and Edmonton International
Airport.

SITE ATTRIBUTES
Road is paved from property to Pigeon Lake, north shore Mission Beach and Highway 39
(sec. 622)
Network of trail for hikers, horseback riders, cross country skiers and
cultural/interpretative tours
Gated and graveled road entrance
Legal access to North Saskatchewan River via 66 right of way
Adjacent to 147 acre Nature Conservancy of Canada reserve
3 large and accessible North Saskatchewan River islands
40 acre grazing lease on adjacent land, with water access

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ABORGINAL PARTNERSHI PS
The site is located in the heart of Treaty 6 territory, between Paul First Nation, Alexis First
Nation, Alexander Cree Nation, Enoch Cree Nation to the North and Samson Band, Ermineskin
Cree Nation, Montana First Nation and Louis Bull Tribe to the Southeast.
The area has been identified by several Elders and cultural practitioners from several
communities and tribes as culturally relevant and spiritually significant. The adjacent area has
been utilized for ceremonial purposes in the past.
The capital region of Edmonton is home to well
over 38,000 Aboriginal peoples1 with Mtis as
the fastest growing group in the city. Based on
current population growth and migration
statistics, the Aboriginal population in Edmonton
alone could top 66,000 residents.
Aboriginal peoples in the Capital Region are also
statistically younger than non-Aboriginal counterparts (median age 25 compared to 36) and
are becoming increasingly successful in educational attainment and labour force participation,
although are still behind the success rates of non-Aboriginal Albertans.
Developing strong partnerships with the Aboriginal community both in the Capital Region and
in surrounding communities and First Nations is integral to the success of the Nioma Centre.
As the site is developed, cultural and traditional land use
assessments will be conducted, creating further context for the
development of the cultural interpretative aspect of the Centre.
Working with service providers in the Capital Region will also
be instrumental in the success of the Nioma Centre. Helping
them tailor specific programming that enhances their service
delivery models and provides a strong connection to land based
cultural teachings with complementary infrastructure to
support will be a key facet of our operations.

SOURCES OF REVENUE
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL TOURISM

The Nioma Centre will create custom experiences for all types of tourism-based market
demand. This includes guided tours, staged cultural events, tipi and camp tent excursions,
1 City of Edmonton, Aboriginal Statistical Profile, 2009:
http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/documents/City_of_Edmonton_Aboriginal_Statistical_Profile_FINAL-Report-Oct-09.pdf

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island excursions, river tours, longboat/canoe

trips, medicinal herbs and edibles identification,
hunting/fishing guiding, and Aboriginal
crafts/artisanship vending.
This revenue stream will be complemented and
enhanced by the development of powerful web
based presence and marketing raising local,
national and international awareness of the Centre
and its attributes and increasing the visibility of
Aboriginal culture and raising the profile of Alberta
Tourism throughout the world.
Programming will be developed in conjunction with local
events (powwows, festivals, celebrations) and in
collaboration with other agencies and service providers,
working to create successful and exciting experiences for
all participants.

ECOLOGICAL TRAINING AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION

The Nioma Centre will incorporate principles from

experiential and environmental education disciplines
in the development of an outdoor education
program. All outdoor education and environmental
education events may be presented from an
Indigenous cultural perspective if requested.
A full range of outdoor education programming will
be created, utilizing the full scope of the surrounding
boreal and prairie ecosystems and unique qualities
of the river valley terrain.
Nioma will work with various partners to develop and deliver programming that reflects their
desired outcomes.
The Centre will seek affiliation with the Rediscovery International Foundation the wilderness
cultural heritage program founded by Thom Henley in 1978. The goal of Rediscovery is to
promote cross-cultural understanding and global peace by adopting traditional Indigenous
Peoples values of respect for oneself, other people and the natural environment.2

Rediscovery International:

http://www.thomhenley.com/Rediscovery/Rediscovery.htm

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EVENT HOSTING AND BED & BREAKFAST/HOSTELRY OPPORTUNITIES

The Centre will develop its infrastructure in such a way as to provide a picturesque and
comfortable retreat setting from urban environments. Staff retreats, Aboriginal awareness
training, management workshops and other corporate relations activities will be pursued.
Banquet facilities, world class kitchen and Aboriginal infused gourmet catering available onsite
will add to this revenue component.
Niomas team of professional consultants will ensure that every event held onsite is a
resounding success.
INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

In collaboration with selected partners, the Nioma Centre will offer on-site and portable
indigenous perspective curriculum modules for Divisions I, II and III within the Alberta
curriculum. These modules will be developed for key subject areas, Language Arts, Math,
Science and Social Studies, and will meet the learning objectives as identified in the program of
studies.
ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCTION FOOD TRUCK
BED & BALES, HORSE BOARDING
EVENT HOSTING AND BED & BREAKFAST/HOSTELRY OPPORTUNITIES
ARTIST AND ARTISAN SUPPORT, TRAINING, WORKSHOPS
MUSIC STUDIO, ARTIST STUDIO SPACE RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES

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