The Town of The Pas is known as the “Gateway to the North” and is located at the junction of the Saskatchewan and Pasquia Rivers. The area includes The Town of The Pas, Opaskwayak Cree Nation and the Rural Municipality of Kelsey. The area offers its residents all the amenities of much larger communities like higher education, a shopping mall, entertainment and recreation. The balanced multi-cultural character of the area is it’s strength. Understanding the importance of conservation and the value of renewable resources is the foundation of it's economic success.

The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) is a Swampy Cree Community, located on the North shore of the Saskatchewan River and approximately 2 km North of the Town of The Pas. The site had been a traditional gathering of the Cree for centuries, who met here every summer to conduct a variety of activities such as hunting, fishing, trading and socialization. Today, OCN is home to the Otineka Shopping Mall, The Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre (Home of the OCN Blizzard Junior A Hockey Club), a Community Plex and the beautiful Kikiwak Inn as well as the Aseneskak Casino. The Opaskwayak Indian Days are held every third week in August to celebrate the Cree traditions and culture.

Town of The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation combined is home to approximately 8,738 residents. Both communities are actively involved in Community Economic and Business Development, including Forestry, Commercial Fishing, Tourism, Agriculture, Outfitting, and many other serviceindustry components such as Provincial Goveronment headquarters, health services, banking and shopping.