NEDP assists crafts industry

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OTTAWA - A $50,000 contribution under the Native Economic Development Program (NEDP) to assist the Indian arts and crafts industry in Saskatchewan was announced June 3, 1986, Honourable Bill McKnight, minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Kindersley-Lloydminster.

Mr. McKnight made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Andre Bissonnette, Minister of State (Small Businesses) and Minister responsible for the Program.

The contribution enables the Saskatchewan Indian Arts and Crafts Corporation (SIACC) to develop a comprehensive business plan aimed at expanding the arts and crafts market and upgrading production facilities to ensure supply for the increased market demand.

The study, expected to be completed by July of 1986, will assess all aspects of the SIACC operation since its inception in 1976, develop a market plan for the next 10 years, explore viable parameters for retail outlet expansion and assess current production facilities.

The project will assist SIACC to become a self-sustaining operation with increased revenue generating capacity, assured profitability, and improvement in income potential for the artists and crafts people associated with the organization.

"I applaud the initiative and vision being shown by the leadership in SIACC toward expansion of an important industry in the Indian community and in the province generally," Mr. McKnight said.

SIACC is located in Regina and has a membership of 700 Indian artists and craftspeople. SIACC's mandate is to develop all aspects of the Indian arts and crafts industry in the province.

The contribution, which represents 71 per cent of the cost of the six-month study, was approved under NEDP Element III (d) which provides assistance to special studies

on Native issues having significant and direct benefit for Native economic development. The NEDP is a five-year, special initiative administered by the Department of Regional Industrial Expansion to assist development of Aboriginal economic self-reliance.