Pikangikum First Nation has launched a multi-million-dollar infrastructure project aimed at enhancing food access, creating jobs, and boosting the local economy. In collaboration with Bison Modular, ESB Construction, and Cobra Enterprises, the initiative will include a 19,500-square-foot modular grocery store with a pharmacy, hardware section, laundromat, prep kitchen, a motel, a 50-seat diner, and various residential units. The project also involves essential infrastructure like water cisterns and hydro coordination.
The initiative, originally proposed as a grocery store, quickly expanded into a larger community hub designed to strengthen Pikangikum’s economic sovereignty. One key motivation was food sovereignty—ensuring that revenue stays within the community and avoiding money flowing to outside businesses. This new store will offer better pricing and a superior shopping experience for community members, while creating up to 50 local jobs.
The project also focuses on affordability, with the goal of making food more accessible. Modular construction was chosen to overcome challenges of building in the remote community, cutting construction times by 30 to 50 percent. Future plans include further expansion, such as adding more motel rooms and possibly a gas station. The store is expected to open in 2026.
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