The Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation is celebrating two decades of community building at its 20th Anniversary Gala on Tuesday.  

Director Shirley Greyeyes says the DDCDC was created in 2006 as a means of giving back to the communities that supports the Dakota Dune Casino.

She adds that a lot has changed in the last 20 years.

“When they started, they didn’t make a lot of money in the beginning. They actually had to secure funds to provide grants in the very beginning.”

Now, the Corporation allocates 25 per cent of annual revenue, which Greyeyes says has been growing in recent years, to different improvement projects within a 75 kilometre radius of Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

The DDCDC has been a part of numerous significant improvement initiatives, including a $175,000 contribution to Hope’s Home to support its sensory room initiative. 

“We’ve given Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools $250,000 for their outdoor powwow arbour to ensure that there are ongoing cultural teachings and an opportunity for the youth to learn about who they are and where they come from.”

The Corporation has also supported Jim Pattison’s Children’s Hospital in procuring health care equipment.

Tickets to the celebratory 20th Anniversary event are sold out, meaning over 400 people will be gathered at the site for food, entertainment, networking, testimonials, and the unveiling of a brand-new vision and mission.  

Greyeyes says the current vision is, “Supporting community success through innovative partnerships.”  She says, “We were looking at the current vision and mission that we have, and we believe we’ve achieved that.”

She adds that a vision should be something that you’re looking toward and always striving to do better.