CANDO conference recognizes economic achievement

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The Saskatoon Tribal Council and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian nations played host to the annual general meeti9ng of the Council for the Advancement of native Development Officers or CANDO, as the organization is better known. This year's conference, held in Saskatoon with a theme of "Controlling Our Future: The Power of the Indigenous Economy," was attended by approximately 200 delegates from all over the world.

The four day conference was held at the Radisson Hotel from Oct. 27 to 30, and was highlighted by the President's Dinner on the 29th.

The dinner was held to honor and acknowledge the achievements in Aboriginal economic development of four individuals of organizations. The honorees included Chief Manny Jules of the Kamloops First Nation, the Nicola Valley Insitutue of Technology located in Merritt, BC, the Long Point first Nation of Winneway, Que., and Edward Courtoreille, who is president 9of 2000 Plus Ltd. of Fort McMurray, Alta. They were awarded 1996 CANDO Recognition Awards. Chief Manny Jules was given special recognition as the CANDO Economic Developer of the Year. The winner of this award was determined by a secret poll.

"It's always an honor to be recognized," said Jules, but "it's not something that you seek."

He was also quick to point out that, even though it was an individual award, a lot of people were responsible for him being honored. He has enjoyed the support of his community for the past 23 years, as well as the support of many other first Nations people throughout Canada. He said they deserved this award as much as he did.

Jules has been in the midst of many battles for Aboriginal self-sufficiency. One such institution is the establishment of a First Nations bank, which will soon become a reality in Saskatchewan.

The Nicola Valley Institute was recognized for its training program in economic development. The program is open to all Aboriginal people across Canada, Through on-campus and off-site training, and has attracted 250 students.

Chief Jerry Polson, from the Long Point First Nations accepted the recognition award on behalf of his band. In just a few short years, Chief Polson's band reduced the unemployment rate to 20 per cent from 75 per cent.

Ed Courtereille, president of 2000 Plus, is from the Mikisew Cree First Nation, in northern Alberta. 20000 Plus is a business that is owned by the Mikisew Cree first Nation. It provides maintenance services to the oil and gas industry. The 2000 Plus motto is "People helping people." Since becoming president in 1993, Courtereille has managed to increase company profits from $1.5-million to $4-million and provide employment for about 150 people.

"When I'm talking 'people helping people,' I'm talking about the whole Fort McMurray community," said Courtereille. "We have to live in that community and working together is the only way we're going to achieve our goals."

The dinner represented the last day of duty for outgoing CANDO president Darrell Balkwill. Myron Sparklingeyes will replace him as president.