Ojibway founder for "Indio-techno society"

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There is little in Mike Nadwidny's background to suggest he would be the founder of his self-described "Indio-techno society".

He was raised by his grandparents on a farm near Selkirk, Manitoba where four family members lived in a tiny two-bedroom house with no running water. The 26-year-old treaty Ojibway at Peguis First Nation

established the Winnipeg-based Abnet eight months ago with partner Greg McLeod.

The multi-faceted firm sells computer hardware and accessories, develops software and offers a number of computer training programs geared towards the Aboriginal community. Because Abnet is the only fully functioning Aboriginal owned and operated computer firm in western Canada, it has also become a link between corporate Canada and the

Aboriginal business community.

"One third of the land mass of Canada is going to Aboriginal

jurisdictional control by the year 2000. If you were an oil company

that would be really critical. Corporate Canada has no choice, they've

got to negotiate with the Aboriginal communities. They're doing it one

of two ways that we see. Employment equity, by hiring Aboriginals

people. Another is supporting Aboriginal business by buying Aboriginal

business. that's where we plug in."

It's a win-win situation for both sides, says Nadwidny. Corporate

Canada has Aboriginal communities hungry to learn about computer

technology, and needs Abnet to lead them to the markets. Abnet needs

the resources of such giants an Unisys, which has helped make the

company big overnight. Abnet sells Unisys products. Unisys trains

Abnet employees, and Unisys is also involved in the two computer plants

Abnet has planned.

The Winnipeg computer manufacturing plant is slated to begin production

in several months, while another plant on Peguis First Nation will pump

out three hundred computers a month and provide eight full-time, highly

skilled jobs on the reserve.

It's the company's motto, "Gaining self-reliance through technology,"

that reveals their firmly held belief that self-government can not

proceed without the technological instruments. With the dismantling of

Indian Affairs in Manitoba, Abnet is assisting in the process by helping

the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs prepare a proposal to the government for

a wide area network. The interactive network would link all 61 bands,

as well as medical services branch, Indian Affairs and other relevant

departments. While the network is still on AMC's wish list, Abnet is

hoping that if funding comes through for the project, they will be given

the contract for implementation.

With newly opened offices in Vancouver, Ottawa and one to soon open in

Calgary, Abnet is growing by leaps and bounds. But the bottom line,

says Nadwidny, is not about the individual making a profit, but what

Abnet's success means for the Aboriginal community.

"This is a totally Aboriginal owned and operated company, and every

dollar spent really does benefit the Aboriginal community. We want to

create products that will better the lives of Aboriginal people. If

something happens to me, I hope Abnet continues, it has to -- it's much

too important."