Bear Claw Casino has a big and bright future.
By offering First Nations hospitality which is next to none, the casino has flourished over the years, building a reputable name for itself among patrons across the Prairies, the Dakotas, and beyond.
Hotel renovation
When Canada celebrated its 143rd birthday this past July 1, Bear Claw Casino held a grand celebration. There was a BBQ, cake, and all the other bells and whistles people have come to expect from Bear Claw's Canada Day celebrations, but this year the day held an extra special meaning as it included the grand re-opening of the hotel at the casino.
The hotel was originally constructed in the same building as the casino, opening in 1996. While the casino portion was operated by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), White Bear First Nations maintained the right to run the hotel portion.
However, after some time the hotel closed its doors to patrons, and the rooms were re-worked and used by SIGA as administration offices.
As time went by, SIGA realized the importance of the hotel portion in making Bear Claw Casino a "one-stop destination resort," and therefore, decided to make some serious changes.
"The occupancy for hotel rooms has been very high in this area the past few years, so there was demand for it," explained Sean Choo-Foo, marketing coordinator for Bear Claw Casino.
SIGA, a non-profit organization, spent $4 million to completely revamp the 36-room hotel and restaurant next to the casino, and opened the doors to the first SIGA-run hotel July 1 of this year.
"There are 28 standard rooms, which has the typical two queen beds," said Choo-Foo. "There are two handicapped suites [with] the bigger doors, handles in the washrooms, [and] lower peepholes. There are two junior executive suites and four senior executive suites."
All of the 36 rooms are well-equipped with the a desk and chair, mini-fridge, coffee maker and complimentary coffee, flat-screen TVs, comfortable pillow-top beds, high-speed internet, iron and ironing board, the list goes on. The wheelchair accessible suites feature larger king-sized beds as opposed to the two queen beds featured in the standard rooms.
The junior executive suites feature a leather couch and chair, as well as a larger bathroom. The senior executive suites all feature a Jacuzzi tub and separate shower in a larger bathroom, with "his and her" sinks. These suites are the largest and also include a table with four chairs.
Since the grand reopening, Choo-Foo said business "has been very good." Rooms are both comfortable and affordable, making Bear Claw an ideal choice for business or pleasure. As more and more people have learned about the newly-renovated hotel, the occupancy rate has climbed accordingly.
The restaurant located between the casino and hotel portions of the building received a face lift as well, effectively taking it into the world of family dining. It is fully-licensed with seating for 60 people, including children. Prior to the renovations, the restaurant was a 19 and over establishment.
"There is a children's menu," explained Choo-Foo, who admitted there was an adjustment period which came along with the change. "[The restaurant] complements the hotel nicely."
Part of this adjustment included constructing a, rather impressive, separating wall in the front entrance into the gaming area to ensure those under 19 years of age would not be enticed to play by all the flashy lights and sounds emanating from the gaming room floor.
Though, for those old enough to gamble, the gaming area is impressive, to say the least.
Stay and Play
Once a patron passes through the casino doors and goes through the large teepee-like structure in the entrance way, he or she can continue straight around the separating wall and onto the large gaming floor.
The gaming floor is over 16,000 square feet, and features 130 slot machines as well as live games. A quick tour around the floor shows displays of First Nations culture, which includes a gorgeous mural painting by local artist Michael Lonechild, located above the "Smoke Signals" jackpot.
"If you stay in the hotel and you're a member, or join as a member, of the Player's Club, you automatically receive a 10 percent discount on the room," said Choo-Foo. "In the summer we also did a 'Stay and Play' with the gaming floor where [patrons] received $20 in cash coupons. That has been discontinued right now, but we'll be promoting that again. It was just to get us started and the response has been very well for us."
"We have some 'Stay and Play' packages with the golf courses as well."
"We're coming off one of our busiest seasons ever," said Choo-Foo. "A lot of that is contributed to the hotel, I'm sure, but this is our peak season. We had the outdoor concerts [and] did a lot of promotional giveaways."
At any given time throughout the year, Bear Claw Casino is running promotions for its patrons.
"We do different promotions every month," Choo-Foo explained. "Some of the bigger promotions we'll run for a couple months. At the end of September we [gave] away a home entertainment centre with a 3-D television. We'll be giving away a [Sidney] Crosby [Team Canada] jersey. Next month we'll be giving away a trip to Vegas - a five-star hotel, limo service to and from the airport, $2,000 spending money. The biggest one I've been working on - and it's going to be a reality now - is we're giving away a fully-customized '65 Mustang. The promotion is going to start Oct.1 and we'll be drawing for that one at the end of November. "
There are different ways for patrons to enter into the various promotions offered at Bear Claw Casino.
"If you're a [Players Club] member, you can check the kiosk to see if you're eligible for it, first of all," Choo-Foo explained. "The promotions are tied into live games, based on certain hands that you have. So playing live games makes you eligible. Or you can do a 'points redemption' on your Players Club card."
"We're giving away a Grey Cup package [in Edmonton] as well," Choo-Foo continued. "For any Rider game, if you watch it here, you can enter your name. We have jerseys and various Rider paraphernalia we give away."
Though the promotions give people a good reason to come and check out "The Bear," there are many other reasons to come for a visit.
Culture is vital
Bear Claw Casino believes in celebrating First Nations culture, and does so by hosting a number of events throughout the year. There is a large celebration for Aboriginal Days, and for the past couple of years the casino has played host to the annual White Bear First Nations powwow.
"For Aboriginal Days we do a big celebration," said Choo-Foo. "We brought in dancers and drummers, and [held] a free fish fry."
The casino also holds a celebration each year for Canada Day. One of the main attractions for the Canada Day celebration at the casino grounds is the impressive fireworks display. There is also a free family BBQ.
An average of 500 people come out for any given celebration held at the casino.
"Aboriginal Days kind of surprised me [this year]," explained Choo-Foo. "I've never been involved in Aboriginal Days, from that end of things, and it was great to see so many people from other communities taking in First Nations culture."
Entertainment continues to grow
This past summer was the third season Bear Claw offered its outdoor concerts. Despite the fact some of its shows, notably April Wine, experienced a lot of rain, the concerts were well-attended.
"The last show we did was with Vince Neil from Mötley Crüe," said Choo-Foo. "He put on a great show."
Neil came to Bear Claw Casino fresh from Ozzfest in Boston. It was the singer's first time in Saskatchewan. He didn't stay long though. After his performance and travelled back down to North Dakota for another show.
"We did Kentucky Headhunters this summer as well," Choo-Foo recalled. "Jaydee Bixby opened up for them. He was a [fifth season] Canadian Idol runner-up."
"We had five outdoor shows all together," said Choo-Foo. "For the outdoor concerts next year we have Loverboy booked. We're still working on some [others] but nothing [is] confirmed yet. For the outdoors, we focus more on the classic rock. The indoors shows tend to be a difference demographic; a lot more country shows it seems."
While the casino can host a large number of people for its outdoor shows, it is slightly more limited for the indoor concerts.
The intimate house-setting has room for about 100 seats. This simply means, those lucky enough to grab a seat for one of the free performances will experience the well-known acts the casino brings in as if the performers were sitting right there in their living room.
Country-singer Julian Austin entertained an audience Sept. 23, and in the coming days the casino will be gearing up for another famed country-music legend, Charlie Major, which takes place Oct. 14.
"They are as good of entertainment as you'll find in the area, but the big difference for our indoor shows [as opposed to outdoor], is we don't charge a cover charge," said Choo-Foo. "So they're all free shows for the indoor."
Always evolving
Bear Claw Casino competes with casinos in large markets across Saskatchewan, therefore it must be strategic in the way it promotes itself. Since Bear Claw is located along highway 9 on White Bear First Nations in the scenic Moose Mountains, it must draw its clientèle from surrounding communities as well as right at home.
"We're kind of unique in where we're located," said Choo-Foo. "We're not in Prince Albert. We're not in Regina. We're not in an area that has a population base where they can sustain within their own. That is one of the challenges we face. We really have to draw from other communities to support us."
In order to attract patrons from outside of the immediate surrounding area, the casino offers a free shuttle bus with pick-up locations in Â鶹´«Ã½AVeast Saskatchewan varied throughout the days of the week.
"It's a free shuttle service we're providing," said Choo-Foo. "[There is] $20 in coin play for riding the shuttle. Basically we're picking up everywhere from Estevan to Maryfield [to] Whitewood. We've just expanded it and now we're going into Regina and Manitoba."
Bear Claw values its employees
Bear Claw Casino and Hotel is a large employer in the area, employing between 150 and 200 people at any given time. While anyone can work at Bear Claw, SIGA's mandate is to employ 75 percent First Nations people.
"SIGA's mission is to strengthen the lives of First Nations People through employment, economic growth, positive community relations and financial self-reliance," explained Choo-Foo.
Seventy-five percent First Nations employment is SIGA's mandate, but Choo-Foo added they are an "employee-friendly company."
"This is their mandate, but it is a professionally-run business and they are very employee-friendly whether you are First Nations or not," Choo-Foo explained. "In the last rating, SIGA was rated as one of the 25th best employers in the province. They have a very good benefits package, sick days, personal days, and things of that nature."
Giving back
Since SIGA is a 100 percent not-for-profit gaming operator, all revenues are distributed among Saskatchewan's First Nations communities (50%), the Provincial Treasury (25%) and Community Development Corporations (25%) located across the province. The company showed a $60 million profit last year alone, thus every dollar went back to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), which represents 72 Saskatchewan First Nations, the provincial government and community development corporations.
SIGA prides itself in being involved in the communities where it runs its casinos, as well as in other communities around the province.
"We believe in sharing success," said Choo-Foo. "Revenues derived from the Community Development Corporations (CDC) and financial sponsorships through the Bear Claw Casino Development Corporated (BCCDC) - which have boards and are independent of SIGA - have economically enhanced many communities and non-profit organizations. Communities such as Kenosee Lake, Kennedy, Carlyle, Manor, various RMs and Â鶹´«Ã½AV East Treaty 4, are amongst a few of the communities to benefit from these programs."
"We do a lot of sponsorships for things," continued Choo-Foo. "If people are looking for cash donations for various things, they can go online and apply for cash incentives for whatever it is they might be fundraising for, events, or things like that."
The future is bright
As Choo-Foo looks into the future of Bear Claw, he's filled with excitement and anticipation, as he can see all of t he great things that are sure to come.
"SIGA is always evolving. It's always changing," said Choo-Foo. "The perfect example is the first SIGA-run hotel here. Right now it's accommodation, but down the road, there [are] plans for possibly a convention centre, swimming pool and waterslide, [and] an amphitheatre."
For Choo-Foo, as the man in charge of entertainment at the casino, the prospect of having an amphitheatre lights up his eyes.
"You could expand. There [are] just so many things you could do, whether it's bands or comedians or dinner theatres," he explained. "There are just so many possibilities. And that's our goal. We want people to think of us as a destination resort.
