Blood Tribe Public Works Hosts Community Meeting in Levern, AB.
Report by Henry Heavyshield, Blood Tribe Communications Officer
On October 21, 2025, Blood Tribe Public Works department hosted a community meeting at the Levern Community Hall to share updates on several upcoming infrastructure projects, and to gather input directly from residents. The evening began with welcoming remarks from Joe Healy, Public Works Director, Public Works Department Supervisors, a prayer from Councillor Patrick Black Plume, and a shared meal of stew and frybread that encouraged neighbours to reconnect before the presentations began.
Healy was joined by his department supervisors Delray First Rider (Safety Supervisor), Jesse Heavy Runner (Utilities), Clement Black Water, Theoren Spear Chief (Shop Supervisor) and Dakota Giesbrechte (Road Maintenance). Cody Wells, Housing Director, and Bernis Wells, Housing Project Manager, also participated in the panel, as well as Albert Tago, an engineer representing Talbera. Councillors Clarence Black Water, Patrick Black Plume, Maria Russell, and Franklyn White Quills were in attendance to provide updates and support from Blood Tribe Chief and Council regarding these projects.
“That’s one of our objectives, to get moving on these projects. We’d like to get some bills going and enhance your beautiful community. I’m really excited to see these things happen,” said Black Water.
Director Joe Healy outlined a list of projects planned for the Levern area. These include the construction of a new community hall, skateboard park, playground, spray park, soccer field and walking track, upgrades to the ball diamond, road paving, and expanded internet service. He also announced progress toward a new wastewater treatment plant, a key infrastructure investment scheduled for completion in March 2026.
Healy emphasized that many of the projects are still in the design or planning stage, and community input will play a vital role in shaping how and where each facility is developed. Public Works aims to meet with local committees before the end of November to finalize project locations and design preferences.
“We still need to meet with you, the community members, for your input as to where you would like to see some of these projects go in your community,” said Healy.
Healy explained that Public Works is working closely with Housing, Lands, and other departments to align priorities and make the most of available funding. These collaborations are crucial, he said, to ensure that new projects are sustainable and that essential infrastructure supports future housing and community growth.
“We support each other, along with Lands and Housing. The three departments, we’re always working together. Because for example in order for Cody [Wells] to find a place to put housing, he needs to find where the land is going to be. We need to supply water; we need to supply sewer [access]. So the three of us, we work hand-in-hand,” said Healy.
Public Works supervisors also provided updates on essential maintenance work and ongoing challenges. They detailed the mowing of ditches along main roads in preparation for winter conditions.
Public Works supervisors also noted that rising costs of materials and fuel, combined with stagnant budgets from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), have made it difficult to maintain the large network of community roads and services.
Despite these limitations, staff expressed pride in their teams’ ongoing efforts to keep infrastructure functioning and safe. The department manages over 1,200 kilometres of roadway but receives funding for only about 800 kilometres, forcing the team to prioritize main routes and emergency access areas first. Gravel supply shortages and aging equipment also continue to limit maintenance capacity.
Black Water spoke about the broader funding issues and how Indigenous Service Canada (ISC)’s contribution formulas have not kept pace with the needs of growing communities on the Blood Reserve. Getting the federal government to match funds remains a slow process, but the department is committed to advocating for fairer allocations and continuing progress wherever possible.
“It’s a fiduciary responsibility from the feds to us, and from us to the community,” shared Black Water.
The atmosphere of the meeting was grounded on mutual respect, transparency, and reciprocity. Throughout the meeting, community members shared their concerns about road conditions, water quality, and service delays, underscoring the importance of ongoing dialogue between Blood Tribe members and departments. Public Works staff responded to each question with openness, explaining the realities of limited funding while outlining steps being taken to improve communication and response times.
In addition to infrastructure discussions, community members were encouraged to participate in upcoming engagements, emphasizing that meaningful progress depends on collaboration. As Niitsitapi, visiting is part of the process of how we build and strengthen our community.
“We like to have our engagements, we like to hear from you, and how we’re going to move forward,” said Black Water.
Maria Russell also stressed the importance of shared responsibility in order to solve these challenges.
“We need buy-in from the community […] We need to hear from you. You need to hear from us. We need to continue working together,” said Russell.
“All these problems, it’s not just a Public Works problem; it’s not just a Housing problem, or just a Land’s problem. It’s a community problem, and in order for us to improve on those issues we have to work together as a community,” said Healy.
The evening concluded with expressions of appreciation from both community members and leaders. Residents thanked Public Works, Housing, and supporting departments for their efforts, while staff reaffirmed their commitment to listening and improving conditions for all Blood Tribe members.
As Levern and the rest of the Blood Tribe look ahead to new recreational spaces, better roads, and stronger infrastructure, the tone of the evening remained optimistic. With community feedback and continued collaboration between Blood Tribe Administration, Chief and Council, and federal partners, the vision for a safer, healthier, and more connected community is steadily taking shape.
Tuesday’s meeting is part of Public Work’s broader efforts to inform Blood Tribe members regarding the upcoming projects and services their team provides through a series of community engagement events. Public Works hosted a community meeting in Moses Lake last month in coordination with the Moses Lake Community Committee.
A community engagement on placement of the new Levern structures is tentatively set for November 10. Another community meeting for Old Agency will occur in the new year. Please stay tuned to our website at bloodtribe.org for further updates regarding these community information sessions. Your voice matters and we want to hear your input.
Key new and/or upgraded projects for Levern:
- New Community Hall (Design in progress)
- Skateboard Park and Spray Park
- Playground and Soccer Field with Walking Track
- Ball Diamond Upgrades
- Road Paving and Maintenance
- Internet Expansion (UBF)
- Wastewater Treatment Plant – Completion expected March 2026
