The Opaskwayak Cree Nation has unveiled a 20-year plan to build a new resort at Clearwater Lake, located near The Pas, Manitoba. The proposed Clearwater Lake Sunset Beach Resort aims to create a destination for Indigenous cultural tourism and ecotourism, with plans to build cabins, yurts, an interpretive centre, a cultural training centre, a spa, and various gathering spaces along the waterfront.
The Opaskwayak Cree Nation intends to develop this project in partnership with the Province of Manitoba as part of efforts toward truth and reconciliation. The site is situated within Clearwater Lake Provincial Park, a 593-square-kilometre protected area known for its exceptionally clear water, which allows visibility to the lake bottom at depths of up to 11 metres.
This development is positioned to attract international visitors from Europe and other regions who are seeking authentic Indigenous cultural experiences. The initiative arrives as the Indigenous tourism sector in Manitoba continues to see significant growth. According to industry data, the number of Indigenous-led tourism businesses in the province more than doubled between 2019 and 2023. By 2023, the sector was contributing $91 million annually to the provincial economy and supporting over 1,600 jobs.
To support this expansion, Travel Manitoba, Indigenous Tourism Manitoba, and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada signed a five-year agreement in September 2025 that aims to inject $127 million toward the industry. The funding is intended to help launch 40 new tourism businesses and create over 700 new jobs across the province. Locally, these efforts are supported by the Discover The Pas OCN initiative, a partnership involving the community, the Town of The Pas, and the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, which works to improve the regional tourism economy.
The resort proposal is part of a broader master plan for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, which has a population of approximately 7,195 members. Project leaders anticipate the resort will provide significant opportunities for economic growth and skills development for the community over the next two decades.
