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Owning its own gas station is a big step in rebuilding the sovereignty of the Papaschase First Nation, and its the first within Edmonton city limits, says Chief Calvin Bruneau.

“A true sovereign nation is a self-sufficient nation. That’s what I’m aiming for here. We want to prove to people that we can look after ourselves,” said Bruneau Friday.

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The Papaschase First Nation bought the Petro-Canada location wedged between Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard north of 23 Avenue NW and began operating in December.

“I love it here,” said cashier Melissa Johnson, one of 20 Indigenous employees and a member of the First Nation.

“All the customers are super excited — they want to know more information,” she said. Sharing the story of who they are is an important part of the business.

“I want people to know this is our gas station,” said Bruneau.

The Papaschase, a 250-member signatory of Treaty 6, had a 100-square-kilometre reserve from 1880 to 1887 covering most of south Edmonton.