Lac Seul becomes a regional conference hub: First Nation-owned events centre gaining popularity as meeting space.

• Date: 01 September 2019
• Author: Ross, Ian

The Lac Seul Events Centre is almost symbolic of the intertwined relationship between Lac Seul First Nation and the neighbouring municipality of Sioux Lookout.

Since its celebrated opening in 2013, the $8.5-million arena and multi-purpose facility has become the go-to place to stage local and regional conferences.

"I think we're a one-of-a-kind (venue) in the Northern communities where we have these accommodations," said Jeremy Capay, the centre's manager.

Nearby Sioux Lookout is a service, administrative and healthcare hub catering to more than 30,000 people in remote, fly-in First Nation reserves in northwestern Ontario.

The new Lac Seul Events Centre provides one of the largest venues for any major gatherings of regional leaders.

The building is located on the main road in the village of French-man's Head, about a half-hour drive off of Highway 72, the highway connecting Sioux Lookout and the Trans-Canada Highway.

The Event Centre was one of the rewards from the resolution of a century-old timber harvesting dispute with the federal government that delivered millions in settlement...