The Doig River First Nation has opened the first urban reserve in northeast British Columbia, a milestone its members are describing as a dream come true. Known as Notche Commons, the new site brings the nation into the economy of the nearby city of Fort St. John in a way that was not possible before.
The grand opening drew hundreds of people, who marked the occasion with the cutting of a beaded ribbon to mark the historic moment. One elder described the day as like coming back home, noting that the community had lived in the Fort St. John area all their lives without ever having built a place of their own like this.
Doig River is located about 70 kilometers north of Fort St. John. Historically, the First Nation was displaced as settlers moved in and the city grew, and members recalled starting out as one of the poorest nations in the area, with little more than a dream when the project began.
Notche Commons is built on federally recognized reserve land, creating space for Indigenous business and cultural development right within the city. While it is the first urban reserve in northeast British Columbia, it joins more than 120 other urban reserves across Canada, a model that allows First Nations to generate income while paying the municipality for local services. Leaders say it opens the door for the nation to take part in the local economy and to build toward a more secure future on its own terms.
The name itself carries meaning. Notche Commons means dreamer, and members of the Dane-zaa people say they listen to their dreamer stories to guide how they move forward, a tradition that is woven into the spirit of the new development.
Visitors lined up for fresh bannock at a new cafe, while a new gas station stands ready to fuel up travelers passing through. A showpiece mural chronicles the history of Doig River and the Dane-zaa people, grounding the commercial space in the nation's heritage and story.
Leaders described the project as only the first phase of a larger vision for the site, with the ultimate goal of becoming self-sufficient. The nation hopes to add services such as health support and retail stores, aiming to create a kind of one-stop hub shaped by what the community itself wants to see.