Denise Peter is the Director of Lands & Resources for Kahkewistahaw First Nation, providing leadership within a critical area of the Nation’s governance, land management and community development framework. In this role, she works directly within the Nation’s Lands & Resources function, supporting the management of land, resources and related planning and development priorities.
Denise’s perspective is particularly important to understanding how Kahkewistahaw’s planning initiatives connect with the practical realities of Indigenous land governance and administration. The Nation’s planning work has evolved alongside its broader efforts to establish effective land governance, support strategic land acquisition, manage development opportunities and establish a framework for future community growth.
As part of the SPPI session, Denise will provide an operational perspective on the relationship between land governance, community priorities, planning and implementation. Her contribution will help illustrate how planning becomes an effective tool when it is embedded within the Nation’s own governance structures and decision-making processes, while supporting the practical management of lands and resources and the achievement of long-term community objectives.
Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan are increasingly leading planning initiatives that address growth, governance, infrastructure, housing, and economic development. At the same time, municipalities and planning practitioners are seeking practical approaches to collaboration
and implementation.
This session provides a Saskatchewan-based example of how planning can move beyond policy and visioning to become a practical tool for community-building, infrastructure investment, and long-term development. Participants will leave with actionable insights and implementation-focused strategies directly applicable to their own communities and professional practice.
