Kitsaki is built to last. . . and prosper

CANDO Suopplement

Page S5

The Kitsaki Development Corporation grew out of the dream of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band to take control of its own economic future. In 1981, that dream started to become a reality when Kitsaki was incorporated. There were some early disappointments and mistakes, but perserverance prevailed.

Since 1981, the Kitsaki Development Corporation has grown so that it owns or partly owns such diverse operations as Northern Resources Trucking, the Lac La Ronge Motor Hotel, Kitsaki Meats Inc., Keethanow Bingo North, La Ronge Industries Limited, First Nations Insurance Services Inc., Northern Lights Wild Rice Inc., Athabasca Catering Company, Woodland Cree Resources, Keewatin Mining Corporation, Canada North Environmental Services Limited, and First Call Inc., plus a joint venture with Minolta to supply photocopiers and servicing to First Nations and institutions in northern Saskatchewan.

Harry Cook, chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band said Kitsaki Development Corporation is also looking at mining opportunities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, as well as other business opportunities involving manufacturing and forestry. More than 400 people are now employed directly or indirectly by the corporation.

"I think the need was to take advantage of our region in terms of the business opportunities that were arising in mining, forestry, tourism, and transportation," said Cook, explaining why the corporation was created by the band. "The council of our band saw that there were numerous business opportunities in Saskatchewan."

But Kitsaki's success didn't happen overnight. Kelly Lendsay, a member of CANDO's board of directors, as well as director of Aboriginal Business Programs at the University of Saskatchewan stated, a lot of work and determination was necessary to get Kitsaki to this point in its development. Cook feels that the success was determined by building on a solid foundation.

"No one person can do it for themselves. It's very important to have that proper mix of experience, desire and education," said Cook. "That has to be kept in focus at all times. It's very important that politicians should be supporting their particular arms of economic development and not be the directors."

"One of the things that came out was that Kitsaki's approach is that they try to implement a structure that allows for the business decisions and strategies to evolve along with the political developments. There's always overlap, but they've been able to come up with a process to balance this," said Lendsay.

Sharing their management experience, and training future employees, are also important to Kitsaki Development. Part of their profits go back into training so that band members can be employed in companies run by the corporation or by others operating in the region. This training has allowed band members to stay in the region instead of having to leave to seek employment, as well as getting educated members to return to the area.

The general manager, David McIlmoyl, also gives seminars at the University of Saskatchewan's Aboriginal Master of Business Administration program.

Lendsay is keen to point out that Aboriginal businesses in Canada have always been willing to work with anybody and that Kitsaki Development is a perfect example of how this works well.