Chief an economic visionary for community

CANDO Supplement

Page S3

Louis John Stevenson, chief of the Peguis First Nation since 1981, was the only individual winner of a recognition award from CANDO this year. There were many reasons why.

Since he's become chief, employment on the Peguis First Nation has risen 30 per cent and the number of businesses has increased from 5 to over 50.

On top of his many accomplishments, Stevenson received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Development in 1995. He was also nominated for the National Royal Band Award in 1996, an honor that is given to Canadians ho have made important contributions to human welfare and the common good.

The Peguis First Nation consists of three reserves that are spread out north of Winnipeg. The largest one is located 170 km north of Winnipeg. The original reserve, formally known as St. Peter's, is located near Selkirk, on the coast of Lake Winnipeg. The third reserve is located 26 km northeast of the largest reserve, on the shores of Fisher Bay.

As chief of the Peguis First Nation, Stevenson oversees the operation of the Peguis Development Corporation, which was established in 1984.

The goals of the Peguis Development Corporation are: to establish and operate an economic development program which will encourage, stimulate, promote and assist a wind range of business development initiatives; to incorporate and facilitate the founding principles into the planning processes and activities of the economic development program; to provide assistance, resources and financial support to band member, the council and related corporations through contributions to business and human resource development projects; to co-ordinate and elicit support from government programs and services, and professional-private industry organizations for community economic development; and, to assist with identified areas of employment and training services such as mobility to employment, employment assistance, apprenticeship programs, training on the job, small business starts and pathways projects as identified by community need.

In 1989, the 2,700 sq. m Peguis Mall was completed. It is now home to Irene's Flower and Gift Shop, Peguis Sports Zone, Sarah's Salon, Peguis Post Office, H & R Block, Peguis Shop Easy, Royal Bank of Canada, Peguis Laundromat and Lottery Centre, Annette's Family Diner, and the RCMP community office. The mall also provides office space for the Peguis school board, health centre, and band administration. There expansion plans that will more than double its existing space.