Our
History
Building prosperity for generations
Glooscap Ventures was established in 2013 by Glooscap First Nation with a clear purpose: to build a stronger and more self-sufficient economic future for the community.
At the time, Glooscap First Nation was looking for new ways to generate its own revenue, create employment opportunities for members and build businesses that could support community priorities for generations to come.
Rather than relying solely on government funding, the Nation chose to build its own economic base.
Glooscap Ventures became the vehicle for that work.
From relatively modest beginnings, the organization has grown into a diversified Indigenous-owned group of companies and investments spanning retail, fisheries and seafood, renewable energy, professional services, real estate, gaming and other strategic partnerships.
Throughout that growth, one principle has remained constant:
Do something today that makes our community more prosperous than it was yesterday.
2013 - A New Approach to Economic Development
Glooscap First Nation Chief and Council incorporate the Glooscap First Nation Economic Development Corporation (GFNEDC), creating a dedicated organization to pursue business opportunities, generate own-source revenue and build long-term economic prosperity for the Nation.
The creation of GFNEDC establishes the foundation for a more focused and independent approach to economic development—one designed to separate day-to-day business decisions from community administration while remaining wholly owned by Glooscap First Nation.
2014 — Building the Team and Taking on Operations
GFNEDC hires its first employee, Jason Peters, who becomes the corporation's first CEO. Two additional employees soon join him, creating the first dedicated economic development team for Glooscap First Nation.
That same year, GFNEDC assumes management responsibility for Glooscap Variety, the community's existing gas station and gaming centre. Taking responsibility for an operating business gives the new corporation its first opportunity to build management capacity, improve operations and establish a foundation for future growth.
2015 — Creating a Plan for Growth
With its initial team and operating responsibilities established, GFNEDC develops a comprehensive Strategic Plan and Action Plan to guide the next phase of economic development.
The corporation also assumes management of two of Glooscap First Nation's commercial lobster fishing vessels, Glooscap One and Brandon and Erin, beginning what would eventually become a much larger fisheries and seafood business.
A fourth employee joins the organization to develop community entrepreneurship programming, expanding the corporation's mandate beyond its own businesses to helping Glooscap members pursue business opportunities of their own. Amanda Peters becomes CEO.
2016 — Glooscap Ventures and a New Commercial Destination
GFNEDC rebrands as Glooscap Ventures, reflecting a broader and more ambitious approach to business development and investment.
Construction begins on Glooscap Landing, a new commercial development along Highway 101. Anchored by a new gas station and Tim Hortons, the project represents one of Glooscap First Nation's most significant commercial developments to date and establishes a new platform for future growth.
2017 — A Transformational Year
Glooscap Ventures reaches several major milestones.
The former Glooscap Variety operation is relocated to the corner of Bishopville Road and Smith Road and relaunched as Glooscap Corner, combining a gas station, Greco Pizza and gaming centre.
At Highway 101, Glooscap Landing officially opens, including its new gas station and Tim Hortons, creating a highly visible commercial presence for Glooscap First Nation.
Glooscap Ventures also makes a significant move into seafood processing by acquiring a majority interest in Yarmouth Bar Fisheries, complementing the Nation's existing commercial fishing operations and beginning a strategy of participating in more of the seafood value chain.
The Nation's economic development achievements receive national recognition by being named Economic Development Corporation of the Year by CANDO, demonstrating how far the organization has progressed in only a few years.
2018 — Building the Financial Foundation
Glooscap First Nation achieves certification through the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB) and becomes a borrowing member of the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA). At the time, Glooscap is only the second First Nation in Nova Scotia to achieve this level of financial certification.
The fisheries business also expands. Glooscap launches the Chief Rita Smith, adds another lobster licence and continues building its harvesting capacity.
Glooscap also begins investing in renewable energy, installing its first solar array at Glooscap Landing, along with electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.
2019 — Expanding Fisheries and Renewable Energy
Another commercial lobster licence is acquired, further expanding the Nation's fishing operations.
At Yarmouth Bar Fisheries, Glooscap develops its second major solar project, beginning the integration of renewable energy into its seafood operations and demonstrating an early commitment to reducing energy costs and environmental impact through clean-energy investment.
Kluskap Market business plan is developed. Liz Morine becomes CEO.
2020 — Adapting Through the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupts businesses and delays planned economic development projects including Kluskap Market. Gaming and other operating revenues face significant uncertainty, reinforcing the risks associated with relying too heavily on any single industry.
Rather than retreating, Glooscap Ventures uses the period to reassess its strategy and place greater emphasis on diversification.
The fisheries portfolio continues to grow with the acquisition of three commercial clam licences, expanding the Nation beyond lobster and tuna and creating additional opportunities within the seafood sector.
Kluskap Health & Safety Consulting is lunched.
2021 — A Time of Transition
As the effects of the pandemic continue, Glooscap Ventures enters a period of planning and preparation for its next phase of growth.
Leadership transitions to new CEO Michael Peters, who had joined the economic development team in 2015 and was the only remaining employee from the organization's original four-person team.
Work also begins on a new governance model designed to strengthen the separation between business and political decision-making and prepare Glooscap Ventures for its next stage of growth.
2022 — Renewable Energy Expands
Glooscap continues expanding its clean-energy portfolio with the development of a third solar array at Yarmouth Bar Fisheries. What began with a single solar installation is becoming a broader renewable-energy strategy, creating both economic and environmental benefits while building internal experience in a rapidly growing industry.
A new corporate governance structure is implemented, including a restructured Board of Directors and strengthened oversight of Glooscap Ventures and its growing portfolio.
2023 — Building Scale and Entering Wind Energy
Glooscap significantly expands its commercial fisheries portfolio with the acquisition of three additional lobster licences, increasing the scale and value of one of its core operating businesses.
Glooscap Ventures also enters utility-scale wind development through a partnership with SWEB Development on the Weavers Mountain Wind Energy Project, marking an important transition from smaller community solar installations into major renewable-energy infrastructure.
2024 — New Industries and Greater Ownership
Glooscap Ventures launches Glooscap Defence, creating a platform to pursue Indigenous participation, partnerships and investment opportunities within Canada's defence sector and associated supply chains.
The organization also acquires the remaining ownership interest in Yarmouth Bar Fisheries, bringing the seafood processor under 100% Glooscap ownership. Full ownership creates new opportunities to better integrate Glooscap's harvesting operations with processing, sales and future seafood investments.
2025 — Growth at a New Scale
Glooscap's diversification strategy reaches a new level.
Through Indigenous Gaming Partners (IGP), Glooscap joins other First Nations in acquiring the Pure Canadian Gaming casino portfolio in Alberta. The investment demonstrates what Indigenous Nations can accomplish by pooling capital and working together to pursue opportunities at a scale that would be difficult for individual communities to achieve alone.
Glooscap also expands its partnership with SWEB through the Sugar Maple Wind Project, further establishing renewable energy as a core area of investment. At Glooscap Landing, another solar installation is combined with battery storage and additional EV charging infrastructure to create a commercial microgrid, including four additional high-speed EV chargers. Another solar project is installed within the community to provide renewable electricity for the community centre and administration facilities. That work receives national recognition when Glooscap Ventures is named Indigenous Clean Energy Company of the Year.
The fisheries portfolio continues growing with the acquisition of another lobster licence and fishing vessel, further expanding Glooscap's harvesting capacity.
Kluskap Security Services is launched. Kluskap partners with Lindsay Contruction for construction related opportunities.
2026 — Integration, Scale and Indigenous Ownership
The pace and scale of investment continue to accelerate.
Indigenous Gaming Partners completes the acquisition of Gamehost, taking the publicly traded company private and expanding the Indigenous-owned Alberta gaming portfolio. Together, the investments create a portfolio encompassing seven casinos and three hotels in Alberta.
Closer to home, Kluskap Market opens at Glooscap Landing, creating a new retail outlet for local food and products while advancing Glooscap's strategy of vertical integration. The market creates opportunities to connect Glooscap's seafood operations and other local producers directly with consumers.
Glooscap's fisheries operations expand again with the purchase of a fifth fishing vessel, together with additional lobster and herring licences. What began in 2015 with two fishing vessels has developed into a diversified fisheries and seafood operation with seven lobster licences, along with participation in tuna, herring, groundfish, clams and other fisheries. Combined with Glooscap's ownership of Yarmouth Bar Fisheries and the opening of Kluskap Market, the Nation increasingly participates across the value chain—from harvesting and processing to the customer.
And the year is not over...
2027 — The Next Chapter
The story of Glooscap Ventures is still being written.