New Hwy. 69 First Nation gas bar credits Indigenous source with savings
With skyrocketing prices at the pump, drivers are looking for more ways to save and for those travelling on Highway 69 near Parry Sound, a new Indigenous-owned gas bar that sources fuel from an Ontario First Nation company is offering much cheaper gas than most stations along the route.
Shawanaga First Nation, located about 30 kilometres north of Parry Sound, recently opened a new gas bar, variety store and cannabis shop on the highway and is already planning to expand the facility to include a food court.
The gas station is located about 135 kilometres south of Sudbury and is band-owned and community-operated.
On Thursday, Shawanaga Gas and Variety fuel was priced at $1.66 per litre, when most stations in Sudbury were 30 cents more.
Chief Adam Pawis credits the gas station's supplier for the significant savings.
"We offer fuel that is locally processed in Canada by our partners OTE, Original Traders Energy, which is in southern Ontario. They are a First Nation company," Pawis said.
"We built this location to service the greater need that was evident at our old gas station just down the road."
He said the station still collects taxes and submits them to the government, but there are additional small savings for Indigenous individuals.
The variety store offers a vast array of Indigenous crafts, apparel and other items of interest.
Shawanaga First Nation variety store offers Indigenous crafts, apparel and smudging. April 21/22 (Alana Everson/CTV Northern Ontario)
"We want people to feel comfortable. They can approach us and ask us anything about our culture, our medicines," band member Tracey Pawis McCans said.
The store also offers smudging, a unique Indigenous offering to put people in a better place mentally and physically.
"I offer it as, for people to, you know, as to get away that bad' juju.' Just to have safe travel on their way and just to have a good energy around them," said another band member Beverlee Walsh.
The First Nation has also opened a cannabis shop.
"It's run by the First Nation under our own Indigenous law. So we operate daily as we do with the gas station," Pawis said.
The chief said once the debt to build the facility is paid, revenue will go towards needed improvements on the First Nation as well as projects and initiatives to enhance the community.
"We will put revenues for this facility towards infrastructure projects, housing projects, water/wastewater and any other social needs or community needs that become apparent," Pawis said.
The facility and improvements to Highway 69 to allow for safe access to the location cost the band $12 million, he added, and said they hope the debt will be paid off in the next two to three years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Mookie Betts leads Dodgers past Blue Jays 4-2; Toronto drops fifth consecutive game
Mookie Betts went 3 for 5, including a triple and an RBI single, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Saturday.