NEWS RELEASE
CHIPPEWAS OF RAMA FIRST NATION
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Dan Shilling, Chief Administrative Officer for the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, is retiring after 26 years of community service. Since March of 1995, Dan has provided overall direction for the administration.
The Rama First Nation Government employs over 400 staff members and is responsible for providing infrastructure, support services and protection for the community. This includes an elementary public school and daycare program; an urgent care health clinic; social services; fire, police and emergency medical service; a recreation centre; and a senior’s home that offers independent living and an extended care facility.
Dan has been instrumental in milestone achievements in economic development. Ojibway Bay Marina and Black River Wilderness Park are successful businesses that have been operating since the mid-seventies. The Gathering Place Stores, Rama Shell Gas Station, two Tim Hortons franchises and Rama Office Interiors (ROI) are growing businesses.
In 2020, the community entered an emerging business sector when they opened a cannabis retail outlet. A new Health Care facility, with a considerable amount of retail space, is currently under construction. It is a long held community vision that will bring community health care under one roof in 2022.
In 2004, Rama First Nation collaborated with the Samson Cree First Nation of Alberta and Ktunaxa Nation of British Columbia in the operation of the St. Eugene Resort (SEM). This resort complex, located in St. Mary’s Indian Band’s territory in British Columbia, offers gaming, golf, restaurants and banquet facilities in a spectacular mountain setting.
The resort is located in a facility that originally served as a First Nation residential school. The fledgling partnership set a new standard for First Nation enterprise in Canada. Dan served as the SEM President and Chair of the Board of Directors for the first six years of this joint venture. The partnership achieved its goal of building a sustainable business venture for the Ktunaxa Nation who have now resumed full ownership and operation of the facility.
Dan received the prestigious First Nations Leadership Award at the Canadian Gaming Business conference in June 2015. Dan was given this award for his outstanding contribution to the gaming industry, his role on the Board of Directors for St. Eugene’s Resort and in the development of Casino Rama in his home community of Rama First Nation.
Dan was born and raised in Rama First Nation. In 1995, he returned to his home community after five years with the federal Native Community Branch of the Ministry of Citizenship. During this time, he gained valuable experience as a Community Development and Business Development Officer. He implemented Aboriginal programs for both on and off-reserve clients.
Dan and his wife Jacquie raised three sons: Joshua, Patrick and Cameron. He is looking forward to more family time, especially with his granddaughter Mia. Dan also anticipates hitting the links and improving his golf game.
One of the most rewarding experiences for Dan was receiving an eagle feather from his community. This is an extremely high honour in the community. Rama First Nation Chief and Council extend their best wishes on behalf of the community to Dan Shilling and his family.
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