Windspeaker business briefs - January

WAHNAPITAE FIRST NATION HAS
purchased Rocky’s Restaurant and Marina and took ownership on Dec. 6. Rocky’s is situated on the Wahnapitae First Nation land base on Lake Wahnapitae. It provides the perfect getaway destination for an evening or weekend, reads a press statement released by the band. “We are very excited about this new business venture and look forward to continued economic growth through this acquisition,” said Chief Myles Tyson. The First Nation will keep the current management consistent with the previous owners and everything will remain the same. The acquisition of Rocky’s is an accomplishment for the community, as it aims to diversify the economic base and decrease reliance on government funding. The establishment is open year round and consists of a licensed restaurant, convenience store, gas bar, marina, motel, meeting room and seasonal campground. For more on this venture, visit the Web site www.rockysonthelake.com

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THE CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR
Aboriginal Business has named Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band in British Columbia and Ruth Williams, the Chief Executive Officer of All Nations Trust Company, B.C., to the Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes their accomplishments in achieving sustainable economic development in Aboriginal communities. Williams has been a leader in social and economic development for more than 25 years with All Nations Trust Company and is a founding member of eight non-profit organizations. Louie was first elected chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band in 1985 and has devoted his career to improving his community’s standard of living. One notable accomplishment under Chief Louie’s leadership is the establishment of the first Aboriginal owned and operated winery in North America. Louie was recently named a Transformational Canadian by The Globe and Mail.

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RBC HAS COMMITTED $300,000
 to the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative (MAEI) to support the expansion of its Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship program and encourage young people to stay in school. The Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship program is designed to improve students’ proficiency in all subject areas, including business, math, English, accounting, marketing and information technology. Using activities, guest speakers, mentors and examples of successful Aboriginal Canadian business leaders, students have the opportunity to learn how to create a product, or service-based business. Founded in 2006, MAEI brings together Aboriginal organizations, accounting professionals, the business community, post-secondary institutions, First Nation schools and provincially-funded school boards to implement programs that support Aboriginal students and help them succeed. RBC’s funding will provide teacher training, program materials and program development to both current and new program locations. MAEI is currently operating in seven locations across Canada and plans to add an additional six schools over the next three years.

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CHIEFS OF THE JAMES SMITH CREE NATION,
the Peter Chapman Band and the Chakastaypasin Band of the Cree signed an agreement with Saskatchewan’s Environment Minister Dustin Duncan which outlines how the parties will work together on understanding the impacts of a proposed diamond mine on the communities and their treaty and Aboriginal rights. The consultation agreement regarding the environmental assessment of Shore Gold’s Star-Orion South Diamond project was initiated by the three First Nations closest to the proposed mine site in the Fort à la Corne Provincial Forest, northeast of Prince Albert. The agreement outlines general provisions related to consultation on this project and the roles and responsibilities of the province, the three bands and Shore Gold in the consultation and environmental assessment processes. “The signing today is another step on our journey to being a healthy, wealthy and prosperous community,” said James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns. “The agreement is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan and it will require diligence on the part of all parties to ensure we secure the future our ancestors foresaw in the treaties. This is a proud day for the people of the James Smith Cree Nation.” The agreement does not bind the signatories to support the mine and is not a financial agreement. The James Smith Cree Nation received funds in August 2010 from the Ministry of First Nations and Métis Relations’ Consultation Participation Fund to assist with its participation in the environmental assessment process for this proposed mine.

Keith Ashfield, Newfoundland and Labrador’s minister of National Revenue, minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and minister for the Atlantic Gateway, announced an investment of $75,000 to assist the Miawpukek Band government to implement the business and revenue development strategy for the First Nations Trust. “Our government’s assistance will help the Miawpukek Band Government establish a trust whose objective is to support strategic economic development for the community,” said Minister Ashfield. Specifically, the funding will enable the trust to engage expert advice to refine and help implement a revenue development strategy, develop a marketing and publicity campaign and assist the trust in gaining charitable status. The First Nation’s Trust of Newfoundland and Labrador was established by the Miawpukek First Nation to foster and promote, through education, the preservation and growth of the culture, language, history, beliefs and spirituality of the Mi’kmaq people of Newfoundland and Labrador. A three-member board of directors will oversee the operation of the First Nations Trust. The board includes Saqamaw M’isel Joe as chair, Tammy Drew as secretary/treasurer and Phillip Jeddore as director. A volunteer advisory board will provide additional direction and support.

Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. has entered into a project agreement with the Lhtako Dene Nation (Red Bluff Indian Band) of Quesnel, B.C. The parties will mutually benefit in the development of Barkerville’s 100 per cent-owned Bonanza Ledge Property located in the Cariboo Mining District of British Columbia. The agreement is a multi-year arrangement providing for preferential contracting, employment and training provisions, academic incentives, environmental review participation, and other economic benefits from the Bonanza Ledge Project, subject to permitting approvals and the company’s decision to commence production at the Bonanza Ledge property.