Corporation leads way to self-sufficiency

CANDO Supplement

Page S8

The Paskwayak Business Development Corporation serves the needs of the 3,000 members of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, which is located near The Pas, Man., about 600 km northwest of Winnipeg. The motto of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation is Nekano-otawinek - Tipanimisowin which means Progress - Independence in Cree. The development corporation has seen that it lays the foundation for economic stability and self-sufficiency of the community, that will allow it to fulfill the goals of its motto.

Warren Wain, a business program instructor at Keewatin Community College, nominated the development corporation for the recognition award. He wrote in his nomination letter that the: Paskwayak Business Development Corporation and its management have consistently worked to further the role of economic development officers in their community and in rural and Aboriginal communities throughout Canada. The umbrella of Paskwayak Business Development Corporation covers eight band-owned businesses and employs approximately 225 band members. This figure, added to the other 200 plus employees, makes the Opaskwayak Cree Nation the second-largest employer in the community.

"Personally, I felt honored and privileged to be among the other [CANDO] recipients there," said Bill Kadachuk, director of business operations for the corporation. "We're all winners. And to be recognized for doing a good job is always something gratifying."

The Paskwayak Business Development Corporation was incorporated in 1987 to oversee the business and community economic development of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. The corporation immediately took over the Cree nation's existing businesses, the Otineka Mall, the IGA, the Timberland Trailer Court and the Chimo Building Centre. Prior to 1987, these enterprises were managed by their own individual committees.

"It was under chief and council that we create one business development corporation, so that all the band-owned businesses were overseen by one entity, which is the Paskwayak Business Development Corporation," said Kadachuk. "We not only wanted to provide business and management services to band-owned businesses, but to provide business and management services to band members at the business and private level. And we've added a training component to our list of responsibility areas."

By providing financial support and business expertise through its business development wing, the corporation has helped 50 band members start their own businesses.

The 60-room Kikiwak Inn is one of the newest and largest accomplishments of the Paskwayak Business Development Corporation. Costing about $8.5 million the Kikiwak Inn provided employment for band members during its construction, as well as longer term employment for its operation.

The IGA was given a $750,000 renovation during the construction of the inn, that was financed entirely by the band. As Wain stated in his letter: With all the loans and renovations being paid through cash flow generated from the store sales, [this] is just one outstanding example of self-sufficiency and of what can be accomplished through extraordinary teamwork, solid management and powerful planning.

The band now has a sawmill operation, a gravel and sand delivery service, a video production company that produced a promotional video for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and a junior hockey franchise, the OCN Blizzard, who play in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Kadachuk said that one of the problems facing the development corporation is just trying to keep up with its own growth and success.

He also said that the national conference co-ordinated by CANDO is an effective tool for all First Nations working towards self-sufficiency.

"CANDO is a good organization for that," he said. "I'm glad that they do recognition awards organizations that deal specifically with economic business development.

"It was a good networking experience. It's good to know that we're not isolated when it comes t the problems we're experiencing," Kadachuk added. "No matter what tribe, or band or region, problems and barriers are similar . . . The information sharing is important because it 's good to know that they're different ways of doing things."