In the late 60's and 70's, the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, then known as The Pas Indian Band, and under the leadership of the late Chief Gordon William Lathlin and his Councils during that period, began discussions on initiatives to promote the economic development of their community.

Among the projects discussed were a hotel, an arena and a grocery outlet.

The concept of a grocery outlet was soon replaced by a much larger project - a shopping and office complex to be built on the Reserve and owned and operated by The Pas Indian Band.

The Otineka Company was formed and incorporated to plan and develop the complex.

While the relationship between the people of OCN and the Town of The Pas, is now friendly and cooperative, it was not the case then. The public announcement of the project made media headlines such as "Reserve Shopping Center Creating Shock Waves", "Merchants Up in Arms". "Council Says It's a Threat," and "Mayor Writes Jean Chretien", the Minister of Indian Affairs at the time.

Local merchants sought a court injunction to block the project, which was overturned by the Courts.

Frustrated by the attempts of outside interests to block the project, Chief Gordon Lathlin issued an official press release on behalf of his people regarding the project.

The wisdom of the late Chief is evident in excerpts from that press release as he vowed to "see this project to completion."

Chief Lathlin went on to say: We will continue to struggle for what we believe to be right. For to struggle and win, sometimes, is to live. The Pas Indian Band is determined to become self-supporting ...the timing for this plan is to commence now. We feel that we will be supplying a service and not a threat.
When progress comes, can it also not come to and with the Indian people?

May I remind you that a treaty (or contract if you like) was signed in 1875 in our case, that in exchange for very large tracts of land, the Indians were entitled to certain rights.

Has anyone considered the tax base for the Reserve? True, we don't call it taxes, but we sure do call it rent. For this rent, we supply services. How in the world are we going to supply services without a money supply of our own. Are we forever going to take 'handouts'?

The complex will generate 200 jobs in the area, of which 25% would be filled by Indian people. That means that initially there will be 150 jobs open to the public. Will this not increase the revenue base of the total community?" Construction and other businesses will prosper by taking part in the construction of the complex.

We respect the Mayor's position that he is doing the best that he can as he sees it for his people. On the other hand, I, as Chief, must do my best as I see fit to ensure that our people and community have the opportunity to grow and that are treaty rights are maintained."

True to his word, Chief Gordon W. Lathlin, saw the Otineka Mall completed and begin operations in 1975, with the opening of the first retail anchor store on November 12, 1975.

On July 31, 1976, he passed away suddenly at the age of 43, just 2.5 months before the official opening of the complex that he and his Council built for their people.

The complex was officially opened on October 20, 1976.

The Mall and the developments that followed, such as the Kikiwak Inn, and the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Center, which is named in his honour, stand as a legacy to the late Chief's tremendous vision and 'struggle' to make the Opaskwayak Cree Nation one of Canada's leading first nations communities that it is today.

The headdress that he wore while Chief (1967-1975) and a plaque quoting him title "My Red Blood" are on display in the Otineka Mall.

"MY RED BLOOD"

We are proud to be Indian people. We are proud of having a little bit of Canada to live in for ourselves. But now we are living on the Reserve. And this is one Reserve where we are not ashamed that we are treaty and we are not ashamed that we are Indians". Gordon Lathlin 1975.

We believe Chief Lathlin would be proud and happy to see how his dreams for the development of the Mall, hotel and Arena have come true. We believe he would also be proud and happy to see the spirit of cooperation that now exists between the people of the Town of The Pas and OCN, and the number of shoppers that visit the mall from The Pas and many other communities around. Now the Otineka Mall, and the other OCN entities, just as he envisioned, are vital parts of the business community.